After several families of Covid victims in Sundargarh district showed their displeasure when the death certificates issued to the deceased did not cite the reason to be Covid, the district administration has recently directed all Covid hospitals of the district to issue death certificates, describing their medical history.
A format for the same also has been circulated to all Covid hospitals of the district with instruction to issue the death certificate accordingly. Sources said, following announcement of Union and State Governments that the family members of Covid victims would be provided several benefits as a welfare measure, the family members have urged rectification in their death certificate.
Most of the family members of the Covid deceased suspected that they would be deprived of the Government benefits, meant for Covid victims.
Mali Kisan (45), a resident of Charapalli under Bargaon block was tested Covid positive on May 23 and was admitted in NTPC Covid hospital, Sundargarh. He died on June 11 at the same hospital and his body was cremated as per Covid protocol at Ranibagicha Swargadwar of Sundargarh. But, his family members claimed that they received a death certificate from Sundargarh Municipality recently, where in it has been mentioned that Mali had died at Sundargarh District Headquarters Hospital. Since, the reason of death was not mentioned in death certificate and place of death has been mentioned as District Headquarters Hospital in place of NTPC Covid hospital, the family members of deceased Mali suspected that they will be deprived of sops for Covid victims.
Similar complaints came to fore from kin of many Covid victims in Sundargarh district. Sundargarh youth leader Himansu Sarangi brought the issue to the attention of Sundargarh Collector and Sundargarh Chief District Medical Officer(CDMO).