Gandhi Hospital staffer took bribe to release bodies

HYDERABAD: A mortuary staffer at the state-run Gandhi hospital was removed from duty and an enquiry was ordered after a video surfaced of the staffer taking bribes to release dead bodies of Covid-19 patients. The staffer is seen demanding money for releasing a body in the videograb and reasoning that the money is being demanded as per the ‘going rate’ for releasing bodies as the amount has to be shared among others.
The video was shot by a patient’s relative on Wednesday with the aim of ‘exposing the inhuman face of the hospital staff’. “We can’t do it (lower the cost). We are not taking more from anyone, everyone has to give it. It’s not like we are demanding Rs 4,000- Rs 5,000. We are taking as per our rate and we are not taking alone, we have to share it with everyone,” says the hospital staffer in the video.
Gandhi Hospital, meanwhile, is the nodal Covid hospital in the state and is the only accessible tertiary care centre for poor patients who come from all over the state for free treatment.
“The incident came to my notice this evening (on Thursday) and immediately the person was identified. He has been removed from duty. An inquiry has been initiated and after proper inquiry, stringent action will be taken against any other persons involved as well,” said Dr M Raja Rao, superintendent, Gandhi Hospital.
The staffer who is seen in the videograb had the task of packing the bodies as per Covid protocol, before they were released. “It damages the image of our institute and harms the people who are already in pain of losing their family members. This inhuman and unfortunate incident is very bothersome,” added the official.