The mortuary at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku-Awka, Anambra State, has reached full capacity, prompting the institution to announce plans to evacuate, dispose of, and conduct mass burials for abandoned corpses dating back to 2014.
According to a statement by the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Henrietta Agbai, the exercise is scheduled to commence in July 2024, following approval from the state government. The decision was made in collaboration with the Chief Medical Director, Dr Josephat Akabuike, and the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Emmanuel Mba.
Agbai emphasized that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, granted approval for the disposal of abandoned corpses at the hospital, necessitating the mass burial initiative.
The statement urged the general public to take action, stating, “those whose relatives are missing should visit the hospital’s mortuary for possible identification and collection of such corpses within one month of this publication.”
Situated in Awka, the COOUTH serves as a pivotal healthcare facility for emergencies in and around the state. However, the influx of victims from various health emergencies, including road accidents and critical injuries, has led to an overwhelming number of unidentified corpses stored in the hospital’s mortuary since 2014.