Govt Takes Charge of Covid-19 Victim's Burial

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addresses the media at Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addresses the media at Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

The government took over the burial of the first Coronavirus (Covid-19) patient to succumb to the disease. Engineer Maurice Barasa Namiinda, passed away on Thursday, March 26 at Aga Khan Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after battling Diabetes.

A report aired by Citizen TV on Friday, March 27, detailed that the government held the body of the deceased and waited for the appropriate time to hand it over to his family, who are based in Buruburu, Nairobi and his relatives in Bungoma County.

The government, however, was not considering a post-mortem for the 66-year-old as it would risk any pathologist undertaking such a task. Such an exercise would only be conducted if one is highly protected, with a very high risk of infection.

Medical practitioners in protective gear at the Coronavirus Isolation facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Medical practitioners in protective gear at the Coronavirus Isolation facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
KENYANS.CO.KE

"We assure them that by the time the body is handed over to them, it is safe for burial, according to their culture of practices," a Ministry of Health official informed Citizen TV.

His relatives in Bungoma County, mourned the deceased in silence, as no event happened in their homestead, as opposed to the culture of converging meetings to discuss burial plans and raise funds. The government banned all gatherings, including disco-matangas as part of measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The family in Bungoma County last saw him in early February 2020 during the funeral of a kin.  

"We knew about Maurice’s death on social media," Paul Wanjala, Barasa’s sibling informed K24 on Friday, March 27.

Another brother, David Khisa, stated that they had not yet made any burial plans as they were not sure whether the government would give them the body of their brother or whether it would be cremated.

“We are waiting for communication from the government,” Khisa stated. The engineer owned a palatial home situated on a 100-acre piece land and was lauded as a generous man by his family, sacrificing for their well-being. 

"He never complained, he never chose one over the other as he committed his resources to our education," Paul Wanjala added. 

In Italy and Spain, bodies of those who succumb to Covid-19 are cremated, after the governments initiated a lockdown.

The World Health Organisation stipulated measures for the burial of dead bodies as it discussed in length the infection, prevention and control for the safe management of the bodies.

In case of an autopsy, personnel should note that the lungs and other organs may still contain live virus, and additional respiratory protection is needed during the aerosol-generating procedure. 

The mortuary must also be kept clean and properly ventilated at all times, with materials that can be easily disinfected and maintained between autopsies. Embalming is not recommended to avoid excessive manipulation of the body. 

For a burial, family and friends may view the body after it has been prepared for burial, in accordance with custom. They, however, should not touch or kiss the body and should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after the viewing. Those tasked with placing the body in the grave should wear gloves and wash hands with soap and water after removal of the gloves once the burial is complete.

Video: Citizen TV

{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/XG2GjoTwBrY.jpg?itok=MlFRe08u","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}



 

  • . .