Khadeeejumma's body covered in bedsheet
Kasaragod: A COVID positive woman's body was handled without following the safety protocol at a private hospital here. The body was covered with bedsheets and placed on a stretcher. Those who carried the body did not wear PPE kits, according to complaints.
Manjeshwaram Kunjathur native Khadeejumma (55) died at a private hospital in Kasaragod. She was hospitalised on Thursday at 8 pm and she died on Friday at 7.30 in the morning. The hospital authorities claimed that pneumonia was the cause of death.
As requested by the relatives, the hospital authorities informed the District Medical Officer (DMO) regarding the woman's death. The DMO instructed them that COVID test should be performed and body should be handed over to family only after this.
On Friday morning, the body was brought down from the fourth floor using lift and placed on a stretcher on the veranda. The body was carried by six persons and none of them were wearing PPE kit. They only wore masks. The body was covered in bedsheet, said Khadeejumma's brother Saleem.
Later, her test result confirmed she was Covid positive. After this, an ambulance driver who wore a PPE kit covered the body in plastic cover. The body was taken to Kunjathur and last rites performed as per COVID protocol.
Meanwhile, the hospital authorities explained that they did not violate any COVID protocol. The body was covered in bedsheet as they were not aware that the patient was COVID positive, said the hospital administrator.
Kasaragod DMO Dr A V Ramdas said that there was serious lapse from the part of the hospital authorities in handling the body. This was found out in the primary investigation and further investigation will be held into the matter, he added.
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