By Oyebade Eniola (SIWES student, Ibadan Poly)
The University of Uyo Teaching Hospital is addressing the issue of numerous unclaimed bodies in its mortuary by announcing plans for a mass burial of more than 100 abandoned corpses.
However, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Bassey, emphasized that this mass burial will not occur during his tenure.
He cited ongoing legal matters that need resolution before proceeding with the mass burial.
Professor Bassey, serving his fifth year as CMD, pointed out the long-standing problem of unclaimed corpses in the hospital’s mortuary, some dating back over 15 years.
He emphasized the need for proper burials and expressed concern about the abandonment of these bodies.
He also explained that two main factors contribute to bodies being left unclaimed: the inability of families to identify and claim the bodies and the high cost of burial rites, particularly in Akwa Ibom and parts of Cross River State.
Lack of communication within families and the exorbitant expenses associated with burials were identified as significant issues that perpetuate the problem of unclaimed corpses.
