Kundapura: Health workers mistakenly exchanges COVID-19 corpses for funeral; family incensed

Team Udayavani, Aug 23, 2020, 1:39 PM IST

Kundapura: A case of gross negligence in the handling of dead bodies by health workers was reported from here.

A 60-year-old resident of Neramballi with ill health was admitted to a Kundapura hospital. He was later admitted to Udupi District Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19.

On the morning of August 23, the man’s house received a call from Udupi stating that he has died. At the insistence of the man’s family, the body was brought to Kundapura crematorium.

The man’s family demanded to see the deceased’s face one last time before cremation and after initial refusal was relented by the health workers there.

To the shock of everyone present there the body turned out to be of a youth. After some frantic phone calls, it was realised that the dead body was mistakenly replaced by the Udupi hospital.

The family was outraged by this and lashed at the negligence of the health workers. In minutes, hundreds of people arrived at the cemetery and also expressed their displeasure.

Taluk Health Officer Nagabhushan and Assistant Commissioner Raju visited the crematory.

The dead body of the Neramballi resident was finally brought from Udupi and the funeral was conducted after examination by the family.