Two ageing morgue refrigerators of BMC-run Kasturba hospital at Mahalaxmi are set to be replaced soon. The deep freezers have the capacity of twelve bodies each and the reason they are being replaced, is the constant maintenance they require from time to time.
There are two morgues at Kasturba hospital, and two similar capacity deep freezers will be replaced in both morgues. The civic authorities have given the contract to Blue Star Refrigerator Company and the estimated cost of both refrigerators is Rs54,47,000.
The current refrigerators were installed at the hospital in 1995. Due to constant use, both would keep malfunctioning, during which time the bodies would be shifted to morgues of other hospitals. An engineer from the R&D wing of a prominent morgue refrigerator manufacturing company revealed: "The morgue refrigerators are designed as per requirement of mortuaries' individual requirements. They undergo rigorous tests before being delivered to the hospitals concerned."
The engineer elaborated on the types of morgue cold chambers, saying: "First, a positive temperature 36/39°F (+2/+4°C), the most common type. It is used for keeping the bodies for a few days or a few weeks and decomposition of the corpse continues at a reduced rate. Secondly, negative temperature -5/-13°F (-15°C/-25°C). This is used for forensic institutes for bodies which have not yet been identified. The body is completely frozen, completely halting decomposition."
A senior surgeon requesting anonymity, said: "Due to constant use for so many years, they began giving problems. This process of shifting bodies to another morgue was tedious and painful. Sometimes, due to delay in shifting formalities, the bodies would emanate a foul smell, which would be unbearable at times."
He further elaborated: "The freezers should have replaced long back, but due to red tapism, the process was delayed. It is better late than never that the administration has taken a stand." Dr. Chandrakant Pawar, acting medical superintendent of Kasturba hospital was not available for comment despite several attempts.
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