Thiruvananthapuram: At the second wave peak, City Corporation handles 75% cremation from the remnants of patients die in Covid-19.
Between April and June, Thiruvananthapuram officially recorded 1,910 Covid-19 deaths and around 1,430 bodies were cremated in Santikavadom in three months.
A special team consisting of 37 employees took shifts to operate four wooden pyrones, two electric furnaces and two gas crematoriums for hours to handle the surge in Covid death.
In May only, Santhikavadom recorded 901 cremation Covid-19 and in June, the number dropped to 430.
“When we saw the climbing death, we formed a special team exclusively to coordinate with hospitals for body cremation.
Health officials were also posted at home illness where fatality is high.
There are nodal officers in hospitals who will communicate data on death to the main office.
This relieves the burden on relatives of victims of Covid-19.
Right from the order, the corporate team is able to handle transportation and cremation, “said the Central City corporation secretary Francis.
Laisoning with another ambulance agent and the closest crematorium is the next step.
“In addition to our ambulance, Corporation takes four other ambulances of rent and this reduces the hassle of transportation.
When Covid’s death began to increase, we can network with other crematoriums to divert non-covid deaths.
Community crematoriums play a key role in dealing with the crisis,” Shaji M said , Corporation Charge Officer, Santhikavadom.
Former charges charge Sujith and two other junior health inspectors deal with 40 to 45 bodies every day when the second wave peaked in the district.
It also calls for enormous logistical support.
A total of 30 gas cylinders are always stored in stock in the crematorium.
The cylinder with a capacity of 19.5kg will be given every day by agency.
It is estimated that the cremation of one body will need a half cylinder.
Depending on the need, 15 to 20 cylinders arrive at Santhikavadom every day without fail.
When there was a protest in some crematoriums, the Corporation began to direct all bodies to Santhikavadom to mitigate tensions.
“We also deployed our team to travel long distances and transport the body to cremate.
It is an endless exercise.
Everything was updated in the WhatsApp group which included public relations officials from all hospitals handling Covid cases,” Francis said.
“In July, one of the electrical crematoriums has been closed for maintenance.
This will operate after 10 days.
Death expenses have dropped dramatically.
Now, we can handle non-covid deaths as well.
During the second wave, cremation costs are released for many families with backgrounds Bad financial behind, “said Francis.