THE Oyo State Government has announced plans to conduct a mass burial for unclaimed bodies in public hospital mortuaries across the state, giving relatives and next-of-kin a seven-day window to identify and claim their deceased loved ones.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed that public health facilities in the state have witnessed a significant rise in the number of unclaimed corpses, creating severe congestion in mortuaries and stretching storage capacity.
According to her, the bodies were deposited in government-owned mortuaries by agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Correctional Service, and other relevant authorities.
Ajetunmobi explained that many of the bodies have remained unclaimed for extended periods, prompting concerns over space constraints and the efficient operation of healthcare facilities.
She urged members of the public, particularly families searching for missing relatives, to visit designated public hospital mortuaries across the state to identify and retrieve any bodies that may belong to their loved ones.
The commissioner noted that arrangements are already underway for a mass burial exercise, which will be carried out after the expiration of the seven-day notice period.
She said the notice was issued to ensure that all interested parties are given a final opportunity to claim the remains before the government proceeds with the burial.
Ajetunmobi reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to maintaining public health standards and ensuring the effective management of healthcare facilities and mortuary services throughout Oyo State.
