Request for 1,000 body bags not due to COVID-19 fatality estimates: Govt.

Monday, 27 April 2020 16:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The request for 1,000 body bags from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was to meet technical requirements and not due to health sector estimates that there would be a high COVID-19 fatality rate in Sri Lanka, the Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe clarified in a statement today.

A letter requesting 1,000 body bags from the organisation was circulated on social media recently, resulting in questions being raised about the gravity of the situation in Sri Lanka. In the statement issued by the Health and Indigenous Medical Services Ministry, Dr. Jasinghe said that the request for 1,000 body bags from ICRC was a precautionary measure and a technical necessity.

In the statement, it is mentioned that the request was made not because the country’s health sector is expecting such a high number of COVID-19 fatalities and that necessary measures have been taken to ensure infection does not spread from identified clusters.

It mentioned that a certain supply of body bags as well as medicines and medical equipment is maintained by the Ministry and that the ICRC provided an opportunity to maintain the required supply, which is why the request was made.

Dr. Jasinghe added that body bags are not only used for COVID-19 related deaths but also other instances, as per international standards.