FUNERAL service providers and hospital mortuaries are
struggling to clear bodies for burial owing to challenges in handling those
that would have succumbed to Covid-19, coupled with a surge in deaths from
other diseases.
Health officials revealed bodies are piling up in the
mortuaries with relatives of deceased persons waiting for up to two days before
their relatives' bodies are released. The delay is mainly due to the guidelines
set for dealing with infectious Covid-19 bodies.
Some funeral parlors have recorded a 100% increase in
funeral services requests. This also comes as the country's health system has
crumbled to unprecedented levels, as people are dying unnecessarily due to
non-availability of health care services.
Official statistics by the Health and Child Care ministry
show that as of Wednesday 122 people have died of Covid-19 since March 2020.
A July Covid-19 internal audit report reveals that
Parirenyatwa hospital recorded a 34% death rate of patients.
The report also noted a "delay in collection of
deceased patients and returning bodies to bereaved relatives," the audit
reads.
Out of the 47 patients that were admitted at the Covid-19
unit of the hospital, 16 died. The hospital also handled bodies of people who
died of other diseases at the institution or at home.
"We do not have major challenges with regards to
handling of Covid-19 positive bodies. It's only that there are protocols with
strict precautionary measures, which have to be followed when handling such
bodies," Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals public relations officer, Linos
Dhire said.
"Soon after the demise of a patient, the nurses liaise
with the relatives to find out if the deceased has any funeral cover. If
funeral cover is available, the parlour is immediately called to come and
collect the body. The hospital has contracted a funeral parlour to collect
bodies without funeral cover to Wilkins mortuary. Removal of the body from the
ward is done by our own mortuary staff who require a minimum of 30 minutes to
put on the appropriate PPE before they collect the body to a designated area
where funeral parlours collect the body out of the hospital."
Funeral service
providers are also having a difficult time as their files have doubled per day.
"For us there has been a 100% increase. As you know
written premium is less than 5% (of the population) leaving the majority not
covered by funeral policies. For Doves it's not a business, but a calling. Like
l said there had been increased number of cash paying clients (people without
policies caught unprepared in this pandemic) and in trying to lessen the burden
we have come up with very affordable packages for everyone," Doves Funeral
Services general manager Nyasha Matsika said.
He, however, said the funeral service provider was
experiencing sudden pressure on resources such as hearses.
"There is none testing of suspected Covid-19 bodies
due to lack of testing kits. Ignorance on processes for both staff and the
community (family members) on how to handle such cases. Resistance by family
members in adhering to the SOPs (standard operating procedures) pertaining to
the conduct of funeral services. And little or no cooperation from Ministry of
Health officials in rendering the requisite services such as disinfection of
premises, bodies and graves in cases of confirmed cases," Matsika said.
He said they received two new ambulances from Faramatsi
Motors to augment their fleet to provide a seamless service delivery to
Zimbabwe in partnership with Zororo Phumulani in South Africa.
For Nyaradzo Funeral Services, the new guidelines and
additional safety protocols on handling of the deceased have resulted in delays
in response times, while at the same time there has also been a notable
increase in requests for service, especially in Harare.
"We have engaged key stakeholders including the
Ministry of Health, Home Affairs, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe
Association of Funeral Assurers and most importantly customers to smoothen the
response process and reduce the time lag between request for service by clients
and provision of the same," Nyaradzo operations manager Batsirai Simango
said.
In rural areas, we are providing on site undertaking
services for which our vehicles are fully equipped. This enables us to offer
the same quality undertaking service without the risk associated with moving
the deceased."
He said there has been a significant increase in PPE
expenses in order to augment the safety of their staff and customers.
"All our parlours, vehicles and equipment are being
regularly disinfected and sanitised. We have also acquired Covid-19 test kits,
which our Wellness Team is using to test and screen our staff for possible
infection. Our in-house Group Counsellor is providing much needed psychological
support to staff given the general fear and stigma associated with
Covid-19," Simango said. "Repatriation of human remains has also been
impacted as follows: The global reduction in air travel has resulted in limited
flights into the country which in turn has led to delays in receiving
repatriated human remains. Some key offices which are involved in the
processing of requisite paperwork have been opening and closing intermittently
as they respond to their staff health situation, resulting in unpredictable service
timelines." Zimbabwe Independent
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