Richest civic body has no money for shrouds

Richest civic body has no money for shrouds

FPJ BureauUpdated: Saturday, June 01, 2019, 04:52 PM IST
article-image

Mumbai :  The BMC may be the richest civic body in India with its budget exceeding that of several small states but its hospitals do not provide shrouds for the dead.

The issue has been raised by Dr Saeeda Khan, NCP corporator from Kurla, and it will come up for discussion in the house on January 7.

The relatives of those who die in civic hospitals are asked to bring shrouds, even if it is past midnight. It is learnt that in most of the civic hospitals the officials in mortuary departments are hand in glove with the drivers of private ambulances who sell shrouds for approximately Rs 1000. There is an additional charge of Rs 500 for rose water, perfume and agarbatti, to dispel the foul odour emanating from the deceased.

Incidentally, these articles are available in the market for Rs 100. But the officials and the drivers of ambulances in civic hospitals exploit the vulnerability of the relatives of the deceased who are keen to get over the final rites.

BMC health tab is Rs 1,800 crore
In 2013-14, the health budget of BMC is Rs 1,800 crore. According to Saeeda Khan, NCP corporator, “no less than 350 persons die in BMC hospitals every month. The expense for a single five metre long shroud is less than Rs 100. Yet BMC officials are unable to spend Rs 35,000 a month on those 350 persons who die in the civic hospital every month”.

Last year on July 13, the relatives of one Zafrul Hasan Siddiqui, who died at KEM hospital, were asked by the hospital authorities to arrange for a shroud. However the family members, who were not in a condition to go to the market to buy one, were advised by an officer in-charge of the mortuary to contact a person who runs a private ambulance service.

The officer, who first gave a list of items to be brought to release the body, said the ambulance person would help them procure all the required items. The latter did the needful but demanded Rs 1500 to organize the articles, pointed out Shafique Siddiqui, brother of Zafrul.

Even if it is an odd hour, the mortuary department insists on the ‘grocery’ list for the deceased.

A few months back, a similar incident took place at Rajawadi hospital in Ghatkopar, where a 13-year-old girl was asked to arrange a shroud late in the night, after her mother, admitted at the BMC hospital, died.

The 13-year-old girl, who happened to be alone at the hospital, was kept waiting till the next morning, as she did not have money to pay for the shroud.

After filing an RTI query, Saeeda Khan learnt that none of the civic hospitals, including, KEM, Sion, Nair and other peripheral hospitals in Mumbai, provide shrouds for the dead.

The RTI information was given to Khan recently.  While talking about the nexus between the hospital authorities and drivers  of ambulances, Dean Shubhangi Parkar of KEM said, “It is illegal. We will soon conduct an inquiry and take legal action against those who are caught engaging in such activity”. Parkar added that KEM hospital does not provide shrouds to the dead either.

Sachin Unhalekar

RECENT STORIES

MahaRERA Is The Only Regulator In India To Recover Compensation Of ₹125 Crore In Just 14 Months

MahaRERA Is The Only Regulator In India To Recover Compensation Of ₹125 Crore In Just 14 Months

Mumbai: Massive Fire Breaks Out At Vardaman Garment Shop In Malad East; No Casualties

Mumbai: Massive Fire Breaks Out At Vardaman Garment Shop In Malad East; No Casualties

Mumbai Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Shinde Sena Leader Meets Govinda In Juhu Amid Speculations Of...

Mumbai Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Shinde Sena Leader Meets Govinda In Juhu Amid Speculations Of...

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Shiv Sena UBT Candidate Amol Kirtikar Seeks Exemption From ED Appearance

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Shiv Sena UBT Candidate Amol Kirtikar Seeks Exemption From ED Appearance

Mumbai: Date For Demolition Of Sion Road Over Bridge Postponed Again

Mumbai: Date For Demolition Of Sion Road Over Bridge Postponed Again