MARGAO: In a major goof-up reported at the South Goa District Hospital on Sunday, bodies of two COVID patients got swapped leaving their families shell-shocked.
However, the mess-up was such that one of the bodies had to be exhumed from the grave.
It appears that similar clothing on the bodies and improper identification of the mortal remains before taking their custody caused the confusion.
Both the male patients succumbed to the infection on Sunday evening. One hailed from Verna and the other from Betul.
The SGDH staff informed both the families about the deaths. The family from Verna took custody of the body from the hospital; proceeded for the final rites and it was almost buried.
However, the goof-up came to light when the family from Betul reached the hospital and identified that the mortal remains were not of their relative.
Later, the hospital administration faced a tough time in sorting out the issue.
The issue was finally solved after the body, which was handed over to the Verna family, was exhumed from the grave and handed over to the family from Betul.
Confirming the incident, District Hospital’s medico-legal surgeon, Dr Ghudkirekar claimed that improper identification of the body before taking its custody created the confusion.
"Family members from Verna had not identified the body before taking its custody. They just took away the mortal remains and buried it. It was only after identification of the body by the Betul family the goof-up came to light. Maybe the similar T-shirt on both the persons led to the confusion", he claimed.
He also said family members get afraid and avoid identifying the body due to fear of getting infected while taking the custody of the mortal remains.
"I urge the people to verify the body before taking it", he appealed.