The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has buried 121 unclaimed bodies between January and September 2024.
83 of the bodies were buried in the first quarter of 2024, while 38 were buried in September 2024.
LCC Public Relations Manager, Chola Mwamba, says this represents an increase compared to the same period in 2023, during which 52 unclaimed bodies were buried.
“As prescribed by law, the council published notices in the press regarding its intention to bury the bodies following a request from the University Teaching Hospital (UTH),” said Ms. Mwamba in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
She said that according to the letters of request from UTH, the unclaimed bodies had been lying in the mortuary for some time, resulting in an unpleasant mortuary environment contrary to the Public Health Act Cap 295 of the Laws of Zambia.
Ms. Mwamba has therefore urged the public to always ensure they claim or identify any of their loved ones from the unclaimed bodies whenever such notices are published in the press to help decongest the mortuary and avoid mass burials.
Angel Kasabo
