UTH COMMENDED FOR ORDERLY MORTUARY
Dear Editor
It was with considerable trepidation that I was recently forced to visit the University Teaching Hospital mortuary.
Memories of my previous visit in the 80s assailed me as I walked the long corridor/tunnel towards the facility.
The demeanour of the attendants wheeling the trolley was pleasant, caring and above all reassuring.
The first impression as we entered the long corridor was the sense of serenity and cleanliness. The cleanliness seemed to speak to the care and attention the hospital paid to the area and hence the serenity that dispelled the horror reminiscent of eras gone by.
There was no overpowering “stench” that had been characteristic of the facility. There was not even the whiff of disinfectants. I braced myself for the worst when the main fridge door was opened, but was pleasantly disabused of my fears- there was no stench. Yes there were rows of bodies on the shelves and for a while I was lost in contemplation over the physical exertion required to lift the bodies onto the shelves in the obvious absence of any mechanical or hydraulic lifting aid.
The main reminder of the facility was a notice on one of the fridge door announcing “no decomposing bodies” were allowed. This, I assume was meant to remind the Police who often took bodies in forensic cases.
As we walked out by the front there was even a bouquet of fresh flowers on the reception desk as if to emphasise the new spirit.
Altogether is was a refreshing experience for which UTH authorities truly deserve commendation. Well done and keep it up. Impressed.