Hyderabad NGO launches complete last rites service

Hyderabad, July 29 (IANS) At a time when COVID victims are denied dignified farewell by their own relatives due to the virus scare, a Hyderabad-based NGO has launched a complete last rite service for both COVID and non-COVID cases.

Helping Hand Foundation (HHF), which has been taking up various relief works during the COVID outbreak, has come forward to start first of its kind service to give a dignified farewell to the dead.

A nominal charge of Rs 3,000 and not exceeding Rs 5,000 depending on the distance will be charged to cover the cost of PPEs, masks, disinfection, sanitisers, drivers’ salaries and fuel at no profit no loss basis, said Mujtaba Hasan Askari of HHF. The service will be free for economically weaker sections.

“There is a sense of fear and stigma in handling the last rites, we are seeing the same trauma even for non-Covid deaths and we thought it is important to help the distressed families in this crucial hour in arranging the last rites with dignity,” said Askari.

The NGO also felt the need to launch this service in view of some service providers charging exorbitantly.

HHF will use six ambulances, which will run 24×7 to transport bodies from hospital to home and from home to either graveyard or crematorium or cemetery.

The ambulances including a brand-new Tata Winger have collapsible stretchers, plastic sheets to cover the stretcher and will adhere to the highest sanitation standards in ensuring safe disposal of the bodies as per the central government guidelines for pandemic. All the vehicles will be connected by GPS and will be monitored through a dedicated helpline.

The NGO said all the drivers operating the ambulance have undergone training on emergency medical operations, have been equipped with PPEs, disinfectant sprayers, garbage bags for disposal of linen and PPEs, water cans, soaps for washing. Every ambulance after each trip will be fumigated at the NGO head office from time to time, this is to ensure that highest safety, sanitation and protection standards are followed as per the central guidelines published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

–IANS

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