[Image: Needpix]
KwaZulu-Natal’s medico-legal mortuaries have finally cleared some space, bringing the number of unclaimed bodies down from a staggering 1,600 to 620 since October 2024.
Progress? Absolutely. Grim? Also yes.
Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane spilled the details during a budget session meeting with the KZN Legislature’s health portfolio committee on Tuesday, IOL reported. She mentioned that the national health committee had been in town last week, likely doing a deep dive into this morbid backlog.
Apparently, there was a “robust” meeting (read: probably some serious back-and-forth) between the national Department of Health and SAPS to sort out this mess. About time, considering Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health chairperson, Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, previously revealed that more than 3,000 unclaimed bodies were chilling in government mortuaries nationwide.
“As of August 2024, a staggering 3,186 bodies remain unclaimed nationwide, with KwaZulu-Natal accounting for 1,527 cases, while the Eastern Cape has 526,” Dhlomo said.
So, why aren’t people collecting their loved ones? The committee was told that many families simply haven’t come forward, leaving the deceased in limbo.
Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Joe Phaahla recently assured everyone that progress is being made. He highlighted efforts to tackle the DNA backlog, streamline identification, and the formation of the new National Forensic Pathology Service Committee – basically, a task force to make sure the dead don’t overstay their welcome.
Simelane explained that once police investigations wrap up, the unclaimed bodies get a pauper’s burial. Some have been lying there for four to five years, which, let’s be real, is not ideal for anyone.
“After the meeting with the police, we have made great improvements. This number will further be reduced in the months to follow. We are happy with the strategy we have implemented,” she said.
Patience Gamede, an MKP MPL, said the situation was causing stress and anxiety (understandably). She gave props to the efforts so far but urged SAPS to get a move on so the health department isn’t left waiting.
Ncamisile Nkwanyana from the IFP chimed in, saying the mortuary visits were useful but pointed out a major hurdle: municipalities dragging their feet on burial space.
“If these municipalities are not willing to work with the mortuary, bodies will continue to pile up. The next meeting must be held with the identified municipalities,” she warned.
Meanwhile, on the staffing side of things, Simelane welcomed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s announcement that 800 doctors would be employed nationwide. The only downside is that those numbers need to be split across all nine provinces.
“We have not been given an allocation as yet. When we do, we hope it is a large number. Our budget will fully fund all vacant posts, something that has not been done before,” she said.
Dr. Imran Keeka, KZN Health Committee chairperson, pointed out that healthcare isn’t just about doctors – there needs to be a balance of professionals across the board.
He also mentioned that the budget had been bumped up by 2.5% now that the Cuban Medical Programme had wrapped up. More money for local graduates and healthcare improvements? Sounds like a win.
“The money will be used to take care of our own graduates and boost healthcare. For the last decade, the health budget has been cut. Not anymore. We will now be able to stabilise much-needed maintenance and employment needs. This will ensure that some sub-standard facilities are improved,” Keeka said.
So, while there’s still a long way to go, at least some action is happening. Hopefully, this means fewer unclaimed bodies sitting around and more resources going where they’re actually needed.
[Source: IOL]
