Chandigarh Health Department to soon start verbal autopsy of deceased

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 22

The UT Health Department will soon start the verbal autopsy of those who died of Covid-19 so as to establish what factors led to the deaths in Chandigarh.

In Chandigarh, 312 victims have so far succumbed to Covid, with a majority of them above 60 years of age. Although the Health Department has identified 'hypertension' and 'diabetes' as two major factors contributing to Covid deaths in Chandigarh, the verbal autopsy will further explore the line of treatment of each deceased and the delay, if any, in availing of emergency response.

About verbal autopsy

Verbal autopsy (VA) is a method of gathering information about symptoms and circumstances for a deceased individual to determine their cause of death.

This technique will comprise a methodical interview with the next of kin or caregiver of the deceased to determine the symptoms and signs of the illness that preceded the death and a review of the medical records.

According to Dr Amandeep Kaur Kang, Director, Health Services, Chandigarh: "Many elderly in home isolation who succumbed to Covid-19 reported late to hospital emergency service. The verbal autopsy will find out the reasons that led to the delays and other lapses in their treatment. We will speak with the family members of the deceased to study the course of illness."

Verbal autopsy (VA) is a method of gathering information about symptoms and circumstances for a deceased individual to determine their cause of death. This technique will comprise a methodical interview with the next of kin or caregiver of the deceased to determine the symptoms and signs of the illness that preceded the death and a review of the medical records.

While other states in the country are mulling forensic autopsy, Chandigarh has no plans so far to proceed with the methodology.

In May, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that no invasive techniques should not be adopted for forensic autopsy in Covid-19 death cases as doctors and other mortuary staff are exposed to health risks due to organ fluids and secretions.

According to the ICMR standard guidelines for medico-legal autopsy in Covid-19 deaths in India, deaths in hospital and under medical care due to coronavirus infection are non-MLC cases and do not require a post-mortem.

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