A total of 54 unclaimed bodies, which included nine infants and 11 body parts were buried in Port Moresby yesterday, Wednesday 8th December, 2021.
The mass burial came after a number of COVID-19 deaths reported in the country. National Pandemic Response Controller, David Manning, had authorised for the mass burial with the assistance from National Capital District Commission.
Two months earlier, the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) Management raised concern of the mortuary capacity and that it was overflowing.
According to Director for Curative Health, Dr Kone Sobi, there are currently in excess of 300 bodies.
He said lots of bodies have been kept for several months, largely because relatives are not coming to pick up their loved ones (deceased). So part of this campaign would be encouraging those relatives to come and pick their loved ones and offer them a decent burial.
Officer-in-Charge of the Morgue services, Albert Tote in an earlier conference also explained that due to inadequate space, bodies are left in the layout area.
The hospital morgue is full and bodies of those dying from COVID-19 disease are lying with those who are dying from other causes.
The hospital management is concerned and they are asking relatives to come forward immediately and claim their bodies. The next mass burial will be followed soon.
