The Mortuary and Funeral Facilities Agency (MoFFA), by its mandate under the Health Institutions and Facilities Act 829, has temporarily shut down mortuary facilities at some government hospitals in the Eastern Region.
The affected facilities include major state-owned hospitals as well as privately managed mortuaries.
Among the government facilities affected are the Suhum Government Hospital Mortuary, the Asamankese Government Hospital Mortuary, and the Kwahu Government Hospital Mortuary.
Other private facilities affected are the Adom Funeral Home Mortuary at Berekumaso near Asamankese, the CHAD Medical Services Mortuary in Osino, and the Great Consolidated Diamonds Ghana Limited (GCDGL).
Their closure stemmed from failure to meet basic environmental and safety standards, as well as operating without licences.
MoFFA’s decision followed a two-day enforcement exercise in the region, targeting non-compliant mortuaries as part of efforts to safeguard public health and the dignity of the deceased.
At the Suhum Government Hospital Mortuary, which has a storage capacity of about 100 bodies, the facility was temporarily closed “over non-compliance, overcrowding, and disturbing scenes of mangled bodies lying” in poor arrangement.
Inspectors also reported strong, unpleasant odours, blood stains, and serum on floors, conditions MoFFA described as unacceptable and hazardous.
The Asamankese Government Hospital Mortuary recorded similar levels of non-compliance and unsatisfactory sanitation, according to the Agency.
In Atibie, the Kwahu Government Hospital Mortuary, although registered with MoFFA, failed to meet the required standards.
According to the Agency, the facility was found to have poor sanitation, with parts of the premises converted into a farming area.
“The mortuary was subsequently shut down,” MoFFA announced in a detailed report on the exercise.
In the private sector, the Adom Funeral Home Mortuary at Berekumaso near Asamankese was sanctioned for poor sanitation, stagnant water, absence of a standby generator, and lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
At Osino, the CHAD Medical Services Mortuary was registered but did not possess a valid licence to operate, and was therefore temporarily closed pending full compliance.
Meanwhile, when the team arrived at the Great Consolidated Diamonds Ghana Limited (GCDGL) mortuary, the facility was locked, and the attendant reportedly could not be found, nor could the keys.
The site, however, was no different from previously assessed facilities: the environment was unkempt, poorly maintained, and, according to MoFFA, “nothing good to write home about.”
At the Agyakwa Hospital Limited Mortuary in Nkawkaw, the situation was noticeably better.
According to MoFFA, the facility had implemented most of the corrective measures the Agency had earlier recommended, resulting in improved environmental conditions.
“It therefore passed its assessment and was declared compliant,” MoFFA captured in its inspection reports.
MoFFA stated that facilities that are partially closed will not be allowed to receive new bodies, although families may retrieve remains already in storage.
“The exercise will continue until all operators do the right thing. We also urge mortuary owners to register with the Agency.”
MoFFA added that about eight facilities have been earmarked for inspection in the Eastern Region alone.
MoFFA clamps down on unlicensed, non-compliant mortuary facilities in Eastern Region
