Puducherry: A viral video on social media shows extremely insensitive and inhuman handling of the dead body of a man who died of coronavirus by healthcare workers in Puducherry. This has evoked rage and criticism from citizens across the country.
In the video, four workers can be seen carrying the body of the dead covid-19 positive patient on what seems to be a stretcher towards a dug out pit. The body is seen wrapped only with a white cloth instead of the strict measures issued by the government which need to be complied for the burial of a coronavirus infected dead body. The healthcare officials in the video are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) kits with only two of them with the hood.
The workers then throw the body in a disturbing way into the pit due to which the cloth can be seen getting rolled off the body when it falls into the pit. They then drag the stretcher and walk back to the ambulance where the person, probably the one taking the video can be heard saying, “It has been thrown inside, Sir”, to which another official replies with a thumbs up.
Following the video, the Puducherry Collector, Arun, has ordered for a thorough investigation regarding the matter. “I’ve issued a memo to the concerned department. It’s very unfortunate. I am enquiring into the issue. Have properly briefed them,” he said in a statement to NDTV.
A representative of NDTV posted the video on Twitter saying, “A lifeless body of a COVID19 positive man being insensitively thrown into the grave in Puducherry. Dignity denied in death. Collector orders probe. Showcase notice issued. An official shows thumbs up as a worker tells him “body has been thrown.” https://twitter.com/jsamdaniel/status/1269330459353157632
The man has been identified as a resident of Chennai who had been left commute-less with his wife in her hometown, Villianur Commune in Puducherry. According to reports from TOI, the man was tested positive for covid-19 on Friday and was declared brought dead in the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Research Institute in Puducherry. Allegedly, the family members of the deceased did not want to partake in the funeral ceremony.
The director of health and family welfare, Dr. S Mohan Kumar, however defended the inhuman act saying that it was not done deliberately by the healthcare workers. He said that such incidents won’t be repeated in the future.
India Against Corruption body said in a statement, “Dignified disposal of dead body is a matter of right. Such an insult to a dead person is an offence under section 500 of Indian Penal Code. The health workers along with those supervisory staff are punishable with penalty for defamation of deceased person.”
Dr S Anandkumar, the president of IAC termed it “Unprofessional disaster management in Puducherry”.
According to the officials from the healthcare department, the responsibility of the burial of the dead coronavirus patient was given to the Revenue department.
People are outraged as to why the protocols weren’t followed during the burial and the need for dignity to be served for people who die of covid-19.
