Unclaimed corpses at the Mararaba Medical Centre in Nasarawa State have become a major health concern for patients and staff says the Chief Medical Superintendent
Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura
The Chief Medical Superintendent of Mararaba Medical Centre in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Dr Ibrahim Adamu, has revealed that there were 30 unclaimed corpses in its mortuary.
Adamu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the situation had become unhealthy and worrisome to both the patients and staff of the centre.
"These corpses have been here since 2013 with no record of ownership, as they were brought and dropped by the police as victims of accidents, or as armed robbers.
"We are expecting Karu LG authority and the police to arrange for their evacuation and burial for the health of our staff and patients on admission", he said.
According to him, the centre is the only secondary health centre in Karu LG where over 200 patients are attended to on a daily basis and there is the risk of disease outbreak following their exposure to the corpses kept there for over three years.
Adamu called on the LG’s Social Welfare Department’s quick intervention in ensuring the timely evacuation of the corpses in the interest of the health of the people of the area. He said the center was committed to initiating policies to better the health needs of the people of the area and the state at large.
Adamu commended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura’s efforts in boosting the health sector of the state trough the commencement of a drug revolving scheme.
"The scheme has helped because drugs are always being supplied to the centre which has enhanced proper health care delivery to the people”, he said.