‘Unprecedented’ Deaths Fill Up Morgues

Health authorities within the country have demonstrated concern over the rising number of coronavirus-related deaths as the third wave of infections continues.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Malama has commented on the reduced capacity of mortuaries as a result of an increased number in COVID-19 deaths within the country.

“On a very sad note, our COVID-19 deaths remain high, as 47 new deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours,” Dr Malama said on Monday.

Having reported over 400 deaths within just three weeks of the third wave of the pandemic, Dr Malama said that the number of deaths which the country was experiencing is “unprecedented” and “devastating”.

Hospitals currently have 701 COVID-19 patients on oxygen therapy, with 131 of these patients being in a critical condition.

Having not yet reached the peak of the third wave, Dr Malama is concerned about what an increase in patient numbers, as well as deaths, may mean for the country’s health sector.

In spite of his concern, Dr Malama is yet to pay doctors their salary arrears, as well as create jobs for senior doctors to work within, at a pay rate which suits their skill level. Subsequently, doctors are being underpaid to overwork in a bid to save the lives of their citizens as a result of government mis-management.

Lack of government focus at the start of the pandemic has led to lack of vaccinations and mistrust of vaccines given as a result of poor information-sharing. This has subsequently led to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Photo: AFP