The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church in Lusaka has partnered with the Lusaka City Council to bury 40 unclaimed bodies that have been in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary for many weeks.
Mandevu Member of Parliament, Christopher Shakafuswa, has commended the church saying its decision to sponsor the burial of 40 unclaimed bodies is a solemn duty and an example of Ubuntu.
Mr Shakafuswa noted that this kind of duty was commanded to human beings by Jesus Christ in the book of Matthew in the Bible that when one is thirsty, you give them water and those that lack shelter, you take them in among others.
He was speaking at Mandevu SDA church during the service that preceded the burial ceremony, at Chingwere cemetery.
“The reward for such a duty can only be gotten from above,” he said.
Mr Shakafuswa has since urged the community to approach the church and civic leaders for assistance with funerals, rather than leaving loved ones in mortuaries without a befitting sendoff.
“We have a sense of duty, all of us, including you, the journalists, to ensure that we put humanity first,” he said.
And Lusaka City Council Director of Public Health, Victor Kagoli, said the church’s gesture had come at a time when the local authority was facing budget constraints, making it difficult for it to bury the bodies in a timely manner.
Mr Kagoli said the help has eased the burden of the council adding that the local authority was grateful for the SDA church’s support and commitment to serving the community.
“This act of kindness will go a long way in bringing closure to the families of the deceased and restoring dignity to the departed,” he added.
Mr Kagoli explained that the council has a responsibility to ensure that unclaimed bodies are buried in a dignified manner, but the lack of funds often hinders this effort.
“We appeal to families to be coming forward and claim their loved ones, we understand that sometimes it is difficult, but it is essential that we give our loved ones a proper sendoff,” he said
Meanwhile, Mandevu Mission District Seventh Day Adventist Federation Leader, Martha Hadebe, said over K40, 000 has been spent on the burial of the 40 unclaimed bodies from the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary.
Ms Hadebe said the church undertook the task as part of its community service, citing Biblical teachings that emphasiSe the importance of helping those in need.
“This is community service, and it is written in the Bible that we should help people. We received contributions from Dorcas workers, well-wishers, which has enabled us to cover the costs of burying these unclaimed bodies,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to the donors who contributed to the cause, saying their generosity had made it possible for the church to provide a dignified burial for the deceased.
“We appreciate the support we have received from the community, it is a reminder that we are all part of a larger community, and we should strive to help one another in times of need,” she said.
Ms Hadebe added that the church would continue to work with the community to address social issues, including supporting vulnerable members of society.
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