The Oyo State Government has issued a seven (7) day notice to relatives and next of kin of unclaimed corpses deposited in various public hospital mortuaries across the State to come forward for identification and claim, after which the bodies will be given a mass burial.
In a statement signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, the Government noted a significant increase in the number of unclaimed corpses currently deposited in mortuaries within public health facilities across the State.
According to the Commissioner, the corpses were brought to the facilities by the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Correctional Service, and other relevant agencies. Over time, the bodies have remained unclaimed, resulting in severe congestion in the affected mortuaries, many of which have now reached their storage capacities.
Dr Ajetunmobi stated that in view of this development and the need to ensure the continued efficient operation of health facilities, members of the public, particularly individuals with missing relatives, are urged to visit the relevant public hospital mortuaries for identification and possible claim of the corpses.
She further disclosed that arrangements are being finalised for the conduct of a mass burial of all unclaimed corpses in the affected facilities, which will take place seven (7) days from the date of this publication.
The Commissioner explained that the seven-day notice is intended to provide an opportunity for relatives and other concerned persons to come forward for identification before the burial exercise is carried out.
She reiterated that the Oyo State Government remains committed to maintaining acceptable public health standards and ensuring the effective management of healthcare facilities across the State.
