Jhajjar Civil Hospital conducts autopsies in the open following mortuary blaze

Post-mortem examinations at the Civil Hospital, Jhajjar, are currently being conducted outdoors — though still within the mortuary block premises —after a fire damaged the post-mortem room and adjoining facilities three days ago. To ensure privacy and dignity, the hospital has placed privacy screens around the temporary autopsy area.

Hospital authorities said repair and restoration work is underway and that autopsies will shift back indoors once the mortuary rooms are fully functional.

On Tuesday, the post-mortem examination of a woman who had allegedly consumed a poisonous substance was carried out in the outdoor enclosure, shielded by the privacy curtains placed inside the boundary wall of the mortuary block.

“Suddenly, a fire broke out in the mortuary three days ago damaging the post-mortem and other rooms. Things kept in the rooms also got destroyed. The situation forced the hospital authorities to make temporary arrangements outside the post-mortem room but within the boundary wall to ensure the work continues smoothly,” said a doctor requesting anonymity.

He said electrical appliances and wiring were also burnt in the incident and fresh wiring and fittings are required before the autopsy room can be restored.

Dr Ajay Singla, Senior Medical Officer, said post-mortems must be conducted only in designated areas, usually located away from patient care zones, to prevent unpleasant odours from spreading within the hospital. “At present, electricity is not available in the room, so post-mortem examinations are being conducted outside the room, within the mortuary boundary, with the area shielded by curtains. Repair work and electrical restoration are underway and expected to be completed within a day or two, after which post-mortems will resume indoors,” the SMO added.