The Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says the Ministry will investigate the matter where a wrong body was given by the Suva Morgue Services to a Navua family who had unknowingly performed the final rites for a stranger.
While responding to questions by fijivillage on whether their contract with the Suva Morgue Services will be reviewed or if the families will be compensated, Dr. Fong says he cannot make any further comments.
Suva Morgue Services has told us that there has not been a mistake or switching of bodies by their staff.
Manager, Lanieta Cakacaka says the body of the deceased man from Navua had been identified by a family member who had presented the death certificate of the deceased.
She says the family also saw the body and confirmed that it was the deceased before they took it for the funeral.
Cakacaka further says that the family also signed the Deceased Release Identification Register Form.
She adds the coffin was opened to allow members of the family and friends to sight the body of the deceased before it was cremated.
Cakacaka says if there is anybody to be blamed for taking the wrong body then it is the family members who failed to recognise the body before cremation.
The Navua family says they were not given the opportunity to view the body as they were told the deceased had tested positive for COVID-19 and as per protocols, they were not to touch it and keep it covered.
Rohit Chand whose brother Rajnil Chand passed away on Sunday says they were accompanied by the Health Ministry staff when they took the body and performed the final rites.
He says they cremated his brother yesterday after getting the right body from the morgue while the ashes of the late Shailesh Subaiya were handed to his family.
Chand further says this has caused his family great distress as they have cremated a person who belongs to another family and have unknowingly snatched that right from them.
He adds the family will discuss after the funeral rituals have completed on what actions they will take.
The late Shailesh Subaiya’s brother, Shanil is also demanding answers.
