Maiduguri morgue crowded by unclaimed corpses – Epidemic looms as Borno Specialist Hospital mortuary breaks down

A source at the hospital told Weekly Trust that the mortuary at the hospital cannot cope with the number of corpses being turned in on a daily basis because it has totally broken down. The source added they are many unclaimed corpses that are yet to be claim by their relatives. “This is a source […]

A source at the hospital told Weekly Trust that the mortuary at the hospital cannot cope with the number of corpses being turned in on a daily basis because it has totally broken down. The source added they are many unclaimed corpses that are yet to be claim by their relatives. “This is a source of concern to the hospital management because right now the mortuary has broken down and the hospital is no longer receiving corpses,” he said.

 

Weekly Trust gathered that many corpses which are yet to be claimed remain deposited at the mortuary, with no room for others because the facility is overstretched.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salma Anas Kolo recently admitted the sorry state of the hospital mortuary, which she attributed to the insecurity situation in the state. She said government is doing everything possible to expand facilities there. She added that currently a 33KVA line has been connected to the facilities at the hospital, including connecting the mortuary to a dedicated line. “We are praying that the situation improves but we currently are working on expansion of the mortuary,” she said.

Other sources say the rising number of unclaimed corpses is, indeed, linked to the serious security challenges facing the nation currently.

Efforts to get hospital authorities for comment were not successful but when Weekly Trust visited the hospital, a notice pasted on the mortuary building and signed by one Babagana Alkali, the Hospital Secretary, advised members of the public to stop bringing corpses to the hospital as the mortuary has broken down and needs repair. “I am directed to write and bring to the notice of all staff and the general public that the mortuary at the State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri has broken down and will embark on total repairs,” part of the notice read.

Bai’na Modu, a resident of Babalayin area where the hospital is located lamented that for some time now they cannot stay in front of their houses due to the odour coming out from the hospital. “It’s very unpleasant and even when you stay indoors, you’re still hit by the stench,” he said.  Another resident who simply identified himself as Grema appealed to the hospital management to do something urgently in order to prevent an epidemic. Many residents may have to vacate their homes over fear for their health as the offensive smell of rotting corpses is making life difficult.