Sikkim: Authorities perform last rites of deceased COVID patient without family's knowledge

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GANGTOK

The family members of a deceased COVID-19 patient have lodged an FIR against Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital in Gangtok for allegedly failing to inform the family about the details of the last rites.

The deceased, identified as Munna Gurung, succumbed to the infection on Tuesday.

Sources stated that the hospital authorities allegedly performed the last rites at a city cremation ground in Jalipool on the same day without informing the family members.

The family members of the deceased has demanded clarification for the alleged negligence by the hospital authority.

Bikash Gurung, the son of the deceased, alleged that there was a miscommunication from the side of the hospital.

The family questioned as to why they were not informed about the timings of her funeral when the SOPs allow two members of family to attend the funeral of a COVID deceased.

The family members later lodged an FIR against the hospital at Sadar Thana in Gangtok.

Meanwhile, the hospital authorities are yet to release an official statement concerning the issue.

When contacted, hospital authorities refused to comment on the issue.