New pointers name for cremating our bodies at excessive temperature in electrical crematoria or plastering graves with cement. PHOTO: ANADOLU AGENCY
NEW DELHI: At the same time as India introduced a whole lockdown on Tuesday to stem the unfold of novel coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic, the administration of contaminated useless our bodies and their funerals stay a supply of concern within the nation.
Consultants imagine that the Well being Ministry’s detailed guideline issued final week concerning the dealing with of contaminated useless our bodies has big gaps. Even at occasions, there may be dereliction to observe these pointers as nicely.
In India’s japanese province of Bihar, relations stored a coronavirus contaminated useless physique at their house for paying final respects. It later led authorities to power the entire village in Munger district to enter quarantine.
The affected person had died on Saturday morning, however take a look at stories confirmed his an infection solely on Sunday after his dying.
Equally, in nationwide capital Delhi confusion reigned supreme final week, after first coronavirus sufferer died. His physique was taken to Nigambodh Ghat crematorium positioned on the banks of River Yamuna. For need of readability, authorities stored relations together with the useless physique ready for a number of hours, earlier than directing them to an electrical crematorium.
Because the COVID-19 circumstances in India have reached 562 with 10 deaths, medical specialists are questioning the preparedness and absence of correct pointers and protocols for dealing with useless our bodies.
Docs on the hospital, the place the affected person from Bihar died mentioned he was in full isolation and on the time of dying was not a confirmed coronavirus affected person.
COVID-19 in Pakistan: Fill the gaps or brace for influence
“We handed his body to the family, wrapped in a plastic bag, as mentioned in the government’s protocol,” mentioned Prabhat Kumar, managing director on the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, a premier hospital at Patna, the provincial capital of Bihar, whereas talking to Anadolu Company.
The provincial Well being Secretary Sanjay Kumar mentioned the hospital was squarely blamed for the mismanagement.
“The hospital management should have followed the protocol and waited for the test result of the deceased, before handing corpse to the family,” he mentioned.
Three months after the outbreak, China’s An infection Management Department of the Division of Well being issued 24-page pointers for dealing with and disposal of useless our bodies.
The rules issued on Feb. 20 and now accepted globally have specified the thickness of the leakproof plastic bag. In response to pointers, the physique bag shouldn’t be lower than 150 microns and will accompany with one other layer of a mortuary sheet or opaque bag.
Perpetual hazard of transmission
In India as nicely, the Indian Council for Medical Analysis (ICMR) approach again in 1987 had stipulated double plastic bagging of the useless physique affected with illnesses like HIV.
Talking to Anadolu Company, Dr T. Jacob John, a former head of the Virology Centre on the ICMR mentioned the plastic bag protecting the physique must be no less than 100 microns thick, so it doesn’t tear off simply.
“Otherwise, with the current vague guidelines, there are high chances that a low-quality polythene bag will be used,” he mentioned.
The seven-page pointers, issued by the Well being Ministry final week additionally doesn’t specify the tactic of cremation or the plastering of graves.
Because the majority of India’s Hindu inhabitants cremate our bodies in open areas or alongside the river banks, specialists say, there are perpetual risks of the transmission of an infection. They are saying the popular methodology of consuming the contaminated useless physique was to make use of the electrical or CNG-run crematoria. However there’s a scarcity of such crematoria within the nation.
“There guidelines lack clarity. All institutions, burial grounds, and crematoria should have been handed over details handy,” Anant Bhan, a world well being knowledgeable, instructed Anadolu Company.
“Community leaders should be sensitized about these protocols like specifications of body bags etc. to avoid hurting the sentiments. The clearer the guidance, the smoother the process. Also, there are fewer electric crematoria in the country. These issues need to be addressed,” mentioned Bhan, who can also be an adjunct professor on the Yenepoya College in Karnataka.
AIIMS points personal pointers
The Division of Forensic Drugs and Toxicology on the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi has launched its particular protocol, which mentions factors missed within the pointers issued by the Well being Ministry.
Talking to Anadolu Company, Head of the Division Dr. Sudhir Gupta confirmed that the rules have been drafted. He hoped that the Well being Ministry updates its pointers to permit secure administration of contaminated useless our bodies.
“For final rites, cremation must be most popular for the entire elimination of possibilities of an infection in both electrical or gasoline crematorium in a zipped physique bag. Nonetheless, protecting in thoughts the non secular views of the household, if the burial of the physique is requested, then it must be assured that the physique is buried in a thick, hermetic coffin, “mentioned the brand new protocol.
Giving additional particulars, it says that the physique must be buried at a depth of 4-6 toes and must be cemented instantly as an extra precautionary measure.
