Highlights: In Mali, morgues overwhelmed after extreme heat coupled with numerous power cuts. According to several testimonies, there is an increase in the number of deaths in Bamako. In just four days, from April 1 to 4, the Gabriel-Touré hospital received 102 people who died on arrival at the establishment. The country is breaking world heat records for the month of April: in Kayes, in the far west of the country, it was 48.5 degrees on Thursday April 4.

According to several testimonies, there is an increase in the number of deaths in Bamako, the Malian capital.

In Mali, morgues overwhelmed after extreme heat coupled with numerous power cuts

According to several testimonies, there is an increase in the number of deaths in Bamako, the Malian capital.

The Gabriel Touré hospital in Bamako, Mali (illustrative image). AFP/Habibou Kouyate

By: RFI Follow

In just four days, from April 1 to 4, the Gabriel-Touré hospital received 102 people who died on arrival at the establishment. People aged over 60 with chronic illnesses for the most part. For comparison, for the entire month of April 2023, there were 130 deaths. The country is breaking world heat records for the month of April:

in Kayes, in the far west of the country, it was 48.5 degrees on Thursday April 4

Owner of a funeral home, Ladji Dibatéré is, with his teams, on the front line observing this phenomenon. “

We have observed an increase in deaths and the morgues are much fuller,”

he testifies

. It sometimes happens to us that we visit several morgues and are unable to place our deceased there and therefore have to keep them at home and carry out the burial at 8 a.m. the next morning

Unfortunately, power cuts don't help. There are large generators which are often broken down.

In Bamako, most morgues do not have generators to preserve the bodies of the deceased in the event of a power outage. When his uncle died, Mohamed* had to tour health facilities to find a place, while his loved ones organized the funeral.

“

In the Wireless district, there was a place but the cold system did not work. It was a friend who negotiated a space for us in a mosque where they have a well-air-conditioned room, that's where we kept [the body]. Even with that, it's so hot that in the morning, when we went to pick up the body, decomposition had already started...

Hospitals are also lacking electricity

Funeral rites professional Ladji Dibatéré continues: “

There are actually hospitals in which, when I enter, I am obliged to have both hands on my nose. I have the impression that people have not realized the importance of having a dignified morgue, that we can preserve our deceased, respect them, that they can rest in peace and dignity.

We can't let the deceased

"rot"

like that.

A traumatic situation for families which is likely to last, regrets Doctor Boubacar Niaré, deputy secretary general of the doctors' union, who also deplores a lack of staff to deal with the influx of deaths.

“

We have fears because firstly, it is not obvious that the electricity problem will be resolved immediately. Then, when we talk about recruitment, will the State have the means to immediately improve health structures to receive these cases which lead to complicated situations?

Read alsoMali: the discontent of the population in the face of incessant power cuts caused by trafficking

The hospital therefore also suffers from the lack of electricity. Emergency rooms of course, as well as maternity and surgical services need a constant supply to avoid loss of life. Which is not the case today in most hospitals in Mali.

In Mali, morgues overwhelmed after extreme heat coupled with numerous power cuts

In Mali, morgues overwhelmed after extreme heat coupled with numerous power cuts

Hospitals are also lacking electricity

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest