A case of 17 unclaimed, rotting dead bodies at the morgue of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) might be fresh in the minds of many. The stinking bodies were cremated after Advisor to Governor K Vijay Kumar intervene following media reports that also when a social organisation, committed to provide dignified last rites to unclaimed bodies, came forward. This might sound outrageous but is not uncommon at the leading medical institution of the State.
The Advisor ordered this action after he came to know the fact that the dead bodies in the morgue are stinking beyond toleration. The cooling system of the morgue had failed for so long that the bodies were decomposed beyond recognition.
When asked about the present condition of the freezer, RIMS director Tulsi Mahto declined to respond. “I will not be able to make any comment in this regard. If you want any information then call me two days later,” Mahto replied regarding the question about the freezer in morgue.
Even last year in the month of October, 55 unidentified dead bodies were cremated after the stink of decomposition got so worse that the classes have to be relocated from the nearby classrooms. Some of these bodies were decomposed even beyond recognition.
When inquired, RIMS management denied any responsibility regarding disposal or cremation of any unidentified, unclaimed dead body. When the stench is beyond toleration, hospital authorities look upto civic bodies and NGOs for help.
“Ranchi Municipal Corporation is the responsible body for disposal of such unclaimed corpses. A disposal committee, formed by the order of Deputy Commissioner, looks after cremation of these dead bodies. We are not responsible for disposal of these dead bodies,” stated RIMS Medical Superintendent SK Choudhary.
By far, RMC have come to the rescue, but usually after the situation worsens. In lack of any concrete guidelines to supervise such cases, any help from the civic body is also irregular at best.
“Such a disposal committee does exist in RMC. But there is no specific time limit after which RIMS have to contact us for cremation of unidentified bodies. In bigger cities though, where frequency of such cases is quite high, civic bodies and hospitals are in contact each other for disposal of unclaimed corpses. Sometimes, based on this, we also train our personnel,” said one RMC official.
The Hazaribagh-based NGO ‘Murda Kalyan Samiti’, which gained limelight for cremating dead bodies lying rotten in RIMS morgue, blames the irresponsibility on part of every responsible authority for this disarray.
“Three times we have performed the last rites for dead lying unclaimed at the RIMS morgue, 43 on the first time, 55 on the second and 17 on the last visit and every time we have to face carelessness. Such is the negligence of these authorities that we are not even provided any equipment for our activities. We have to bear every expense on our own,” said Tubul Chakravarty, President of the committee.
He further added, “We find solace in this work. So, for the first two times, we took stock of the situation ourselves. After our work was publicised by the media, then we were called by the civic authorities. If RIMS management wants us to help, we are prepared for it, but they have to ask us for help. Whenever called, even if we have to come all the way to Ranchi after every few days, we will be more than happy to ensure that no one leaves this world neglected.”