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Beitbridge Bureau

Beitbridge District Hospital is struggling to raise $500 000 to service its mortuary.

The mortuary accommodates 37 bodies, which in some cases stay longer than three months before pauper burials.

Cooling systems at the 140-bed hospital are in a state of disrepair with authorities failing to secure resources.

Private parlours in town are unaffordable to many and charge between R3 000 and R4 500 depending on the package.

District Medical Officer, Dr Lenos Samhere, said they expected the situation to normalise.

“The mortuary can carry at least 37 bodies when fully operational, but now we are operating with one unit which carries 12 bodies.

“Our cold room carries 10 bodies and the freezer in the new mortuary extension carries three bodies, but it is not working.

“We hope to fix the broken down units should we get funding.”