The Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency ( MoFFA) has announced plans to deploy funeral Inspectors across the country to monitor funeral and burial rites to ensure proper handling of dead bodies in line with Public Health standards.
Concerns have been raised in recent times regarding undignify handling of corpse in parts of the country.
The Acting Director for Licensing and Inspection at the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency, Kofi Adjei Ntiri speaking to GHone TV in Koforidua at the sidelines of commissioning of Eastern Funeral Home ,indicated that the move is to sanitize the death care industry and prevent practices that could pose health risk to the public.
According to him, the inspectors will attend funeral events as observers to monitor how bodies are handled and whether infection prevention and control measures are followed.
“Whilst you are conducting your funeral, you might have an officer from the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency who will be an interested observer—not to partake—but to look at your infection prevention and control practices and how you handle the body,” he said.
Mr. Ntiri explained that if inspectors detect any violations during funeral ceremonies, individuals involved, including family heads, and undertakers could be summoned and possibly prosecuted for mishandling a corpse.
He noted that under the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960, improper handling of a dead body is considered a criminal offence.
The agency says the initiative is aimed at protecting both the dignity of the dead and the health of the living, as certain diseases can emanate from the death care industry if proper safety procedures are not followed.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ntiri disclosed that MoFFA has so far inspected 55 mortuary and funeral facilities nationwide, out of which 49 have been licensed after meeting the required standards.
The six facilities that failed to meet the standards have been given three months to make the necessary corrections before they are re-inspected.
Mr. Ntiri indicated that the agency has also embarked on public education campaigns in several regions, including Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, Volta and Oti, to sensitise the public about safe funeral practices.
He added that MoFFA will continue expanding its regulatory activities to other regions and districts to ensure that funeral and mortuary services across the country operate in line with approved health and safety standards.
The Eastern Regional Minister ,Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, urged managers of mortuary facilities to ensure that their staffs are properly trained and equipped and equipment is routinely maintained and their environment remains serene and welcoming to grieving families, of which Papa, we assure you have done over and over. In doing so, you will earn the trust and confidence of the people you serve.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
