This story is from August 13, 2020

Body of ACMO swapped in BHU

Body of ACMO swapped in BHU
Varanasi: An additional chief medical officer, who looked after all arrangements at Covid-19 facilities in the district, died of coronavirus infection on late Tuesday night. Later, in another shock for his family members, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) hospital’s mortuary handed over them the body of another victim of the virus who belonged to Ghazipur, prompting the university to order a probe into the incident.
District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma admitted that the goof up occurred as tags containing personal details of the deceased were mistakenly exchanged.
“As no complaint had been made by any of the aggrieved family, we have decided not to take any action for now,” he added. The ACMO, who held the responsibility of ensuring necessary arrangements at Covid facilities at all the hospitals in the district as well as medical staff quarantine, had fallen ill and was admitted to a private hospital a week ago. “The result of his initial Covid-19 test had come negative two days ago, but when his test was conducted again he was found positive,” confirmed district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma ,” adding, “he had been shifted to BHU hospital’s ICU where he breathed his last on Tuesday late night.”
The DM said, “After it came to light that the bodies were exchanged, a report was sought from chief medical officer Dr VB Singh.”
“The report contained that apart from the ACMO, one more Covid patient from Ghazipur had died after midnight on Tuesday and both the bodies were kept at BHU mortuary. Chief medical officer Dr VB Singh was present there to monitor the process of wrapper packing of the bodies as per Covid protocol.”
“After the bodies were packed, the CMO left the mortuary after which no tagging was done while families of both the deceased had reached there to collect the bodies. The ACMO’s family was handed over the body of Ghazipur patient,” he added.
When the ACMO’s family started cremation on a wooden pyre at Harishchandra Ghat, the family of Ghazipur patient reached there and apprised them of the mistake. The ACMO’s family removed the wrapper to see the face of the partially burnt body and realised the mistake committed by the BHU mortuary authorities.
“Later, the Ghazipur patient’s family completed the last rites. The ACMO’s family reached BHU mortuary again to take his body,” said the DM adding, “the his body was cremated at the electric crematorium of Harishchandra Ghat.”
Medical superintendent of Sir Sunderlal hospital BHU Prof SK Mathur said that the varsity administration has ordered a probe into the matter. “A three-member fact-finding committee has been formed to probe the incident and submit a report as to how the mistake took place. The course of action will be decided after getting the report,” he added.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA