The unworthy handling of the COVID patient caused massive indignation in Pondicherry.
Chennai:
A video showing government officials in Pondicherry hastily throwing the body of a man with COVID-19 into a pit has sparked outrage, prompting the administration to order an investigation into the incident.
The video shows four men in PPE moving the lifeless body of an ambulance and literally throwing it into the grave. Less than 30 seconds later, one of me is heard to say to a government official that he “threw the body” for which the official approves.
Front line workers also appear to have ignored a series of COVID protocols when handling the body. The video shows that the deceased was simply wrapped in white cloth and not in a bag as in such cases. The tissue wrapped around the body also opened as it fell, exposing workers to an enormous risk of infection. It is not yet known whether the body was duly embalmed.
Sources in Pondicherry told GalacticGaming that the body was that of a Chennai resident who tested positive during his visit.
The unworthy handling of the COVID patient caused massive indignation in Pondicherry.
“The decent disposal of a dead body is a question of law. Such an insult to a deceased person is an offense under section 500 of the Indian Penal Code. Health workers and supervisory personnel are liable for defamation of deceased person, “India Against Corruption said in a statement.
Its president, Dr S Anandkumar, called it “unprofessional disaster management in Pondicherry”.
According to sources in the health department, the body was turned over to the tax authorities for burial.
The Pondicherry collector Arun ordered a probe. “I sent a memo to the relevant department. It is very unfortunate. I am investigating the matter. I have informed them well,” he told GalacticGaming.
Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi said cause notices were served on those involved.
Not long ago in nearby Chennai, the body of a doctor who died after contracting a coronavirus was not buried. Mob attacked the health workers in the ambulance carrying the body of Dr. Simon Hercules, forcing his friend to drive the ambulance and bury the doctor himself. The incident then forced the Tamil Nadu government to adopt an order authorizing a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone who blocks or attempts to block the funeral of victims of the coronavirus.
