The home’s matron, Catherine Chiponda, revealed last week that bodies could spend up to four days on the communal wards before being taken to the mortuary.
"If we call the police to collect a corpse, they always say they do not have fuel to drive to the institution. Since we also have transport challenges, the corpses end up stuck in the wards for several days," said Chiponda.
The matron added that a former male patient’s body spent four days on the ward before a board member took him to the mortuary using their private transport.
“As I speak to you the corpse is still at Mpilo mortuary waiting for a pauper's burial. This board member has been assisting us by ferrying the corpses to the mortuary and we are very grateful" she said.
Chiponda said until last month the Old People's home in Luveve was entirely donor-supported with World Vision and individuals as the key patrons.
"From last month we started receiving a small amount from the Ministry of Social Welfare. Each inmate is now receiving a monthly allowance of US$20," she said.
Entembeni serves 49 elderly people who are mostly destitute.
Post published in: Zimbabwe News