Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
News code: 24794
Published Date: Sunday 15 November 2009 - 18:21:36
http://javascript<b></b>:openWindow('print','print-24794.aspx',790,500,'yes','no')
Swine flu victims are not permitted to Behesht-e Zahra cemetery
ENGLISH > Life - Iranian people and officials are still indifferent to the possible consequences of a swine flu epidemic across the country.
Published Date: Sunday 15 November 2009 - 18:21:36
http://javascript<b></b>:openWindow('print','print-24794.aspx',790,500,'yes','no')
Swine flu victims are not permitted to Behesht-e Zahra cemetery
ENGLISH > Life - Iranian people and officials are still indifferent to the possible consequences of a swine flu epidemic across the country.
While the officials fear of the psychological impacts ensuing from the related news, the disease takes more tolls in silence.
According to the official figures, until now A-H1N1 has killed 58 people throughout Iran but unofficial reports indicate that it has claimed the lives of hundreds of people. Because the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of ordinary flu, the national tally is not defined. So both the official statistics and rumors are not reliable.
In the capital, Tehran the only medical center which can recognize the victims of A-H1N1 is Pastor Institute which of course is located to in Karaj, a smaller city in the outskirts of the capital. But due to the limited number of medical test kits imported from abroad, the related tests are allowed only after the letter of a hospital is submitted to the institute.
The current circumstance in the capital is in this way, let alone small towns where no facility for possible tests is provided.
The current circumstance in the capital is in this way, let alone small towns where no facility for possible tests is provided.
On the other hand, the victims died of swine flu are not permitted to be buried in the key cemetery, Behesht-e Zahra around Tehran without a letter from the hospital where they have passed away. The letter should confirm that the body of victim has been disinfected by the hospital. In this condition, the corpse-washers reject such victims and it causes several problems for their families. Meanwhile it also seems that the Ministry of Health has not established a special unit in Behesht-e Zahra to disinfect the possible victims.