Disaster looms as bodies pile up-(15-02-07)

r relatives of the deceased failed to collect the corpses awaiting post-mortems to be conducted by the striking doctors.
A visit to the hospital showed that the mortuary, with a capacity for 18 bodies, had over 80 bodies piled up. A pungent smell was evident from the hospital main gate and workers at the institution now avoid passing the mortuary.
The death toll rose sharply over the past two weeks as patients failed to get the attention of doctors and nurses, who have vowed not to return to work until government increases their salaries to $5 million and $3 million respectively.
Tawanda Gambinya, a mortuary attendant who spoke to The Zimbabwean, said the situation was getting worse each day.
“Bodies continue to pile every day as more and more people are dying after failing to get attention from the doctors and nurses who are on strike. Every day more than 10 people die and the mortuary is too small,” said Gambinya speaking while holding his nose. Masvingo Provincial Medical director, Amedus Shamu declined to comment.
Meanwhile teachers around the country joined the nurses and doctors last week, vowing not to return to work until government meets their demands.