Eswatini Ministry Defends Mortuary Attendants' Role in Post-Mortems

The Eswatini Ministry of Health has responded to concerns raised by mortuary attendants and the National Public Services and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) regarding their involvement in post-mortem procedures. Principal Secretary Khanya Mabuza stated that a 1985 job description outlines the attendants' duties, which include making incisions and stitching bodies under the direction of pathologists. This clarification comes after attendants alleged that they were performing tasks outside their designated roles.

According to Mabuza, mortuary attendants' responsibilities include arranging post-mortems, assisting pathologists, making incisions as directed, and stitching corpses after examinations. Their duties also involve placing specimens in containers, wrapping bodies, and returning them to refrigerators. The ministry maintains that the attendants are performing duties in accordance with their documented job description. However, Mabuza encouraged reporting any instances where attendants might have deviated from their prescribed responsibilities.

The controversy began when mortuary attendants affiliated with NAPSAWU raised concerns that they were undertaking responsibilities outside their designated roles. They alleged that doctors taught them how to make incisions and stitch bodies and that their duties sometimes extended to performing surgical incisions on deceased pregnant women to remove foetuses. The attendants also claimed that doctors paid them E50 for performing these procedures, sparking concerns about compensation and additional duties.

Mabuza clarified that the E50 payment was a government procedure authorized by the hospital administration, not a form of compensation or payment for additional duties. The mortuary attendants had submitted a petition to the ministry approximately three months ago, complaining that the E50 amount was not enough. The ministry will further investigate the matter to establish whether there has been any exploitation of the mortuary attendants or improper handling of deceased persons.

NAPSAWU President Bawinile Ndlovu had previously expressed concerns that the ministry did not attend to issues raised by the union with the urgency they deserved. However, Mabuza stated that the ministry works closely with the union through the Government Negotiating Team (GNT) to find amicable and lasting solutions to workers' concerns. The ministry assured the nation that pathologists conducting post-mortems are duly registered with the Medical and Dental Council.

The ministry takes due diligence to ensure that pathologists are qualified and appropriate for their duties, which are enhanced by the presence of mortuary attendants performing their designated tasks. Specific issues arising from the working relationship between pathologists and mortuary attendants should be discussed with the ministry to find amicable solutions. The investigation into the alleged exploitation of mortuary attendants and improper handling of deceased persons will aim to address these concerns.

The Eswatini Ministry of Health's stance on the matter emphasizes that mortuary attendants are performing duties within their official capacity. The ministry encourages open communication and reporting of any deviations from prescribed responsibilities. The investigation into the E50 payments and working conditions of mortuary attendants aims to resolve the controversy and ensure that all parties involved are treated fairly and in accordance with established protocols.

Key points

• The Eswatini Ministry of Health defends mortuary attendants' involvement in post-mortem procedures, citing a 1985 job description that outlines their duties.
• The ministry will investigate allegations of exploitation and improper handling of deceased persons.
• The E50 payment for procedures was authorized by the hospital administration, not as compensation or additional duty payment.