A shocking case of gross negligence has emerged from the mortuary of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, where the body of a deceased woman was found partially eaten by insects. The incident has triggered public outrage and led to immediate disciplinary action against three staff members.
Gruesome Discovery and Immediate Fallout
The distressing situation came to light on Tuesday when the family of the deceased woman, identified as Kusum Devi, arrived to claim her body for final rites. To their horror, they discovered that insects had gnawed at the remains. The body had been stored in the mortuary's cold storage since July 8, following her death during treatment at the medical college hospital.
Upon witnessing the condition of the body, the grieving family created a scene at the mortuary, bringing the appalling lapse to the attention of senior authorities. An official from the medical college confirmed that the body showed signs of insect infestation. Taking swift cognizance of the serious negligence, the college administration suspended three employees responsible for mortuary maintenance.
Administrative Action and Investigation Launched
The suspended staff members include Ajay Patel, Sanjay Gautam, and Jitendra Kumar, who were tasked with the upkeep and operation of the cold storage facilities. A departmental inquiry has been initiated against them to determine the exact chain of failures that led to this unacceptable incident.
Medical College Principal, Dr. R.S. Verma, stated that such negligence is intolerable. He emphasized that strict action has been taken to hold the responsible individuals accountable. The inquiry will scrutinize the standard operating procedures, maintenance logs, and duty rosters of the mortuary to identify systemic flaws.
Broader Implications for Healthcare Governance
This incident is not an isolated one but points to a deeper malaise in the management of public healthcare infrastructure in the state. The condition of a body in a medical college's custody being compromised due to insect attack raises severe questions about hygiene protocols, staff accountability, and the dignity afforded to the deceased.
The case has sparked a debate on the state of mortuary facilities in government hospitals across Uttar Pradesh. Public health advocates are calling for immediate audits of all such facilities to prevent recurrence of such dehumanizing events. The trauma inflicted upon the family of Kusum Devi, who had to witness the desecration of their loved one's remains, underscores the urgent need for reform and stricter oversight.
The local administration has assured that the inquiry will be thorough and its findings will be made public. Compensation for the family is also under consideration. This scandal serves as a grim reminder of the critical need for empathy, professionalism, and rigorous maintenance in all wings of a medical institution, especially those dealing with the deceased.
