Union leader’s body decomposes in morgue of JLN Hospital, triggers resentment

 

 

 

A UNION leader’s body decomposed considerably in mortuary of JLN Hospital, Bhilai triggering resentment. Several leaders and workers of Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) assembled near the mortuary, staging demonstration, while denouncing the hospital management. The demonstration was called off after Dr S K Issar, Executive Director, M&HS, BSP and S K Dubey, ED, P&A, BSP along with senior officials pacified union leaders while assuring them of adequate measures. In this connection BSP authorities claimed about regular maintenance of freezer, while the union leaders alleged hospital management of apathy in supervision of contractual works and increasing the practice of outsourcing. According to the information, at about 2:30 am on Monday, Venugopal, the Vice-president, Hindustan Steel Employees Union (CITU) and Chargeman, Water Management Department of BSP had succumbed after a massive cardiac arrest. He died during medical check-up at the hospital. His body was preserved in mortuary of JLN Hospital, Bhilai as arrival of his relatives was awaited for attending funeral.

 

The union leaders were infuriated when they found the body in a decomposed state after they reached mortuary for taking possession of the body. The leaders from various BSP unions had reached the hospital, while accompanying the bereaving brother of deceased Venugopal. Joga Rao, the Assistant General Secretary, Hindustan Steel Employees Union (CITU) said that it is a criminal negligence and also brought to fore high degree of mismanagement in hospital. The body had decomposed considerably and the face was beyond recognition with fungus and bleeding traces. He alleged the hospital management of apathy in maintenance as the cabinet of morgue in which the body was preserved was off and there was no freezing process. CITU office-bearer Rao also added that most sections in hospital have been given to contractual firms for maintenance but hospital management lacked due supervision and also remain unaware about workers being deployed by firms for execution of contract.

 

More such shameful incident would occur repeatedly if management ended up with completing formalities to fine the contractual firm and removal of its staffers merely. There is need of minimum regular manpower at all sections for close supervision of contractual works and also reviewing work status regularly. Public Relation Department, BSP officials informed that freezers in the mortuary are working. The freezers are checked twice a day. While the maintenance schedule of the freezers is quarterly and any breakdown is attended immediately. There is a workshop in hospital to look after all maintenance jobs including freezers. A fact-finding committee under the chairmanship of Dr J Dave, Jont Director (M&HS) has been constituted. However the union leaders, maintained that no fact will ever come out.