Covid-19: Burial staff render vital services

Frontline workers perform duties despite increase in responsibilities amid pandemic

MULTAN: Amongst various frontline workers operating to fight the coronavirus disease, the performance of burial staff of Rescue 1122 was matchless and highly commendable.

Since its inception in 2004, the organisation has developed into the largest humanitarian service in the country with strong infrastructure in all districts of Punjab. Rescue 1122 is not only maintaining its quality and swift service standards but also improving its working whenever a need arises.

After the outbreak of Covid-19, the responsibilities of Rescue 1122 increased manifold. Responding to the pandemic, the Rescue 1122 in Multan assigned 12 staff members to perform funeral and burial of the patients who died of coronavirus. Complete standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) were followed by the staff, stated Rescue 1122 District Emergency Officer Dr Kaleemullah.

Multan Rescue 1122 Burial Staff Supervisor Abdur Raheem said that the burial staff had buried nearly 50 persons so far in different areas of the province. "We follow guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation during funeral and burial of the bodies."

He further said that they also facilitated burial of non-Muslim victims. "We wrap the bodies in special attire and also disinfect the coffin for safe burial."  Similarly, the heirs of the dead were given special attire so that they could make safe approach and see their deceased relatives from the recommended distance, stated the supervisor.

Although it was very painful for the heirs, they had to follow WHO's recommendations to keep other members of the family safe, he added." Rescuers have no fear of the pandemic and they serve the society with complete dedication. We have been working for the last 10 to 12 years and we experience emergency situations on a daily basis.“

Zahid, an ambulance driver of the burial team, said, "I led funeral prayers of about 20 coronavirus victims as we are more aware of  precautions and have special attire for the services.”

He added that the community should show responsibility and follow the special instructions regarding social distancing. "We have buried the victims in different cities of the province, including Lahore, Faisalabad and some other areas, according to the wishes of the heirs that the burial should be done at ancestral graveyards.”

The supervisor further said that they also facilitated the burial of a Christian youth in Lahore as per the community’s rituals. Regarding the response of heirs and social distancing practices, he highlighted that most of the families cooperated with the team. “However, in some places help from local administration was sought for informing the heirs about the precautionary measures.” Ali Raza, another active member of the burial team, said, "We are in contact with isolation wards and thus keep complete data of the coronavirus patients who pass away. Similarly, we seek assistance from the police, municipal corporations and district administrations concerned.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2020.