COVID patient’s body kept at Karapitiya Hospital morgue: Health Services DG instructs cremation
Posted on December 23rd, 2020
Courtesy Hiru News
The forensic doctors at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle stated that if the body of the patient who died due to COVID that is being kept at the morgue is not cremated, they will withdraw from their duties.
Forwarding a letter to the Police Inspector at the Galle Headquarters, Health Services Director General Asela Gunawardena stated that the body of the patient in question must be cremated as per the Gazette Notification issued previously.
The deceased was an 84-year-old male resident of Deddugoda, Galle who died on 19 December.
However, considering the problems that arose in this regard, the Galle Additional Magistrate recently ordered that the body be kept at the Karapitiya Hospital morgue until a decision is taken by the Government Expert Committee.
The police were informed to seek the advice of the Director-General of Health Services in this regard.
Accordingly, Health Services Director General informed the Police Inspector at the Galle Headquarters in writing today.
As per the Gazette Notification issued by the Government on 11 April, the body of the COVID infected patient must be cremated at a temperature of 800 to 1200 degrees Celsius for a period of 45 minutes for complete combustion.
Meanwhile, the expert committee appointed by the government to inquire into the proposal to bury the bodies of those who died of corona infection had a discussion with the Minister of Health and other authorities today (23).
The Ministry of Health and the Expert Committee have exchanged views and the final report is to be prepared accordingly.