Hindu crematorium needs funds for more incinerators
IPOH: In view of the current Covid19 situation and the increasing number of deaths, a committee managing a Hindu crematorium in Buntong has urged the authorities to expedite its request for funds to add more incinerators.
Ipoh Hindu Devasthana Paripalana Sabah president M. Vivekananda (pic) said the Rm1.3mil pollution-free modern crematorium, constructed in 2014, had two incinerators at the moment.
He said there was a provision for two more furnaces to be added, but the committee was still waiting for approval and funds from the National Unity Ministry.
Vivekananda said he had submitted a proposal in December last year, but they had not received any feedback from the ministry.
“Since January, we have handled cremation process for 16 Covid-19 deaths, besides those who died of other causes.
“In a day, only four bodies can be cremated as we don’t want the furnace to overheat.
“If one of the incinerators breaks down, we may face difficulties,” he said in an interview.
The crematorium caters to 200,000 families living in Buntong and its vicinity.
Vivekananda said each process would take at least two and a half hours and that a cooling period was required for the furnace.
He said for Covid-19related deaths, a 50% discount was given for the cremation process.
“For orphans, the poor and unclaimed bodies, the crematorium services are provided for free, including those related to Covid-19.
“We hope the ministry will look into our request urgently and provide funds so that we can add two more incinerators.
“I am worried that we will not be able to cope if there are more Covid19 deaths,” Vivekananda added.
During a working visit to Perak last week, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the state was expected to see more Covid-19 cases in the coming weeks, including those in Categories Four and Five, who need critical treatment.
As of July 31, there were 121 patients being treated in intensive care units with an average rate of seven days of ICU bed usage.