Footage shows bodies left to decay outside overcrowded morgue in Papua New Guinea
Disturbing footage has emerged, depicting the dire conditions faced by one of Papua New Guinea’s major hospitals. The video, which was shared publicly on a popular Facebook page, shows nearly a dozen bodies left to decay outside the overcrowded morgue. The shocking images have shed light on the immense pressure faced by the country’s health system and have prompted calls for urgent reform.
Deteriorating conditions captured on film
The three-minute video provides a harrowing glimpse into the makeshift mortuary at the hospital. It shows 11 bodies placed on bunk beds and gurneys inside what appears to be a shed. The building lacks proper air conditioning, and its windows and doors are left open to the elements. The bodies, left there for families to collect or until space becomes available in the morgue, are shown deteriorating rapidly due to the tropical weather.
The unidentified man who filmed the video, speaking in Pidgin, explains how long the bodies have been left outside: “Some of these bodies here, right now, have been left out here for four or five days now, it’s now Christmas and New Year’s period, they didn’t just arrive, some of them have decayed.”
As the man continues to film, another body is carried in by grieving family members, highlighting the continuous influx of bodies and the strain on the hospital’s resources.
Morgue overcrowding and delayed collection
In response to the video, the Port Moresby general hospital released a statement acknowledging the overcrowding issue. The hospital explained that the mortuary was unable to accommodate any more bodies, primarily due to relatives’ failure to promptly collect their deceased loved ones.
The statement revealed that a mass burial was scheduled for the following week, as there were already 20 bodies waiting to be housed in the morgue. The hospital assured the public that the government would address the issue in 2023, although specific measures were not outlined.
Dr. Kone Sobi, the director for medical services at Port Moresby general hospital, shed further light on the situation. He explained that some bodies remained uncollected because the deceased’s relatives could not afford the services of private funeral homes in the city. As a result, a mass burial was planned for Thursday to alleviate the overcrowding.
The hospital had previously conducted a mass burial of unclaimed bodies in 2021 due to the morgue reaching maximum capacity. Originally designed to accommodate 120 bodies when built 30 years ago, the morgue now handles approximately 200 bodies. The facility’s limited space has led to bodies being left outside until there is room to accommodate them.
A call for urgent reform
The shocking footage has sparked outrage among residents of Port Moresby, who are demanding action from the country’s highest authorities. The deputy governor of Port Moresby, Dadi Toka Jnr, emphasized the need for a new mortuary facility at the public hospital.
“The size of the city has grown, so the next step here moving forward is to look at how we expand the morgue,” said Dadi Toka Jnr. “Discussions are being held as we speak, we are looking at options, some designs have been presented, so the announcements will be made in due course.”
Currently, the main mortuary is supported by three additional container refrigerators with a capacity of 62 bodies. However, the facility receives up to 20 bodies per day, a number that has increased during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
A former hospital worker, who chose to remain anonymous, shared their insights into the situation. They revealed, “The morgue is always full, the space for one body to be laid is packed with four or five. It happens every time – once there is a death, the body is left out in the layout. If there is space, then they are brought into the morgue.”
The distressing conditions captured in the video have underscored the urgent need for reform within Papua New Guinea’s healthcare system. With overcrowded morgues and delayed collection of deceased individuals, it is imperative that necessary measures are taken to ensure the dignity and respect for the deceased and their families.