adminother well-wishers to assist with the construction of the morgue.
He said the current facility had the capacity to carry six bodies only but often had three times more.
Dr Kanongara said they had to conduct paupers’ burials occasionally with the assistance of the Department of Social Welfare to ease the load.
He said plans to upgrade the mortuary had been on the table for more than a decade.
“At the moment we have a problem with our compressor which is under constant breakdown. This has forced us to conduct paupers’ burials to offload the mortuary.
“Previously World Vision Zimbabwe had assisted us with some civil works to extend the mortuary so that it could carry at least 22 bodies at any given time.
“The project has been stalled by the unavailability of money.”
Dr Kanongara said the main superstructure was in place.
“We are left with putting some fittings including the procurement of 16 trays. These should be made of stainless steel.
“We also need to work on some structural adjustment to the building. Another worry is the condition of our sole compressor which is under constant breakdown.”
According to the last population census, the hospital is a referral centre to 90 000 people. The number has increased due to its location.
“Our resources here are strained as we cater for the district and transit population yet we have a shoe string budget to provide quality services.
“During the rainy season the morgue is filled with people who drown while trying to cross illegally into South Africa while other bodies are also brought here by the police for pending criminal cases,” he said.
Online Reporter