Some employees at the mortuary of Dickoya Base Hospital have been accused of accepting money to carry out services normally provided by funeral parlours.Several videos allegedly showing these activities were recorded on a mobile phone by a group opposed to the practice and released to the media yesterday (20).

The group said that the bodies of people who die at Dickoya Base Hospital, as well as those who die by suicide or in accidents in the area, are taken to the mortuary following post-mortem examinations.It has been alleged that some employees discuss arrangements with the deceased’s relatives and offer to embalm and prepare the bodies for burial at a lower cost than funeral parlours.The group further claimed that relatives were instructed to bring only the clothes needed to dress the deceased and a coffin.There have been calls for an investigation if such activities are taking place in violation of government circulars.

When contacted for comment, Dr Upuli Bandara, Consultant Judicial Medical Officer at Dickoya Base Hospital, said she had assumed duties in the post only a few days earlier.She noted that if mortuary employees were engaging in such illegal activities, it would be contrary to government circulars.She also requested that a written complaint supported by evidence be submitted to her, the Central Provincial Director of Health Services, the Deputy Provincial Director of Health Services for Nuwara Eliya District and the hospital director to facilitate an investigation.