Health Minister Calls for Collaboration in Handling Unclaimed Bodies in Freetown

The Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, has acknowledged the Ministry of Health’s critical role in the management and removal of corpses found on the streets of Freetown.

He emphasized the need for closer coordination among relevant authorities to ensure that such cases are handled respectfully and efficiently.

Dr. Demby stated that the Ministry would engage the Freetown City Council (FCC) and the Office of the Inspector General of Police to explore ways of conducting dignified burials for unclaimed or unidentified bodies.

He stressed that this collaboration would also ensure health officials do not interfere in cases that may fall under criminal investigation.

The Minister’s remarks underscore ongoing concerns about the proper handling of unclaimed corpses in urban areas and the importance of maintaining public health standards while respecting human dignity.

The Ministry of Health, the FCC, and the Sierra Leone Police are expected to work together in the coming weeks to develop a coordinated approach to address this issue.