‘My dead father was left rotting at Gozo hospital’ – son recounts experience

Aqra bil-Malti

The grieving son of a 57-year-old Gozitan man who was found dead at his farm in Gozo last Friday accused the health authorities of losing every sense of respect, claiming that his father’s body was left rotting for days inside the hospital’s mortuary.

Speaking to The Shift, Samuel Curmi, from Victoria, recounted how last Monday, when he went to see his father’s corpse at the mortuary, he had the shock of his life.

“I was already shocked and distraught, being the one finding my father dead on his farm on Friday morning. You can imagine what I had to endure when, on Monday, I discovered that my father’s corpse had been left rotting at the hospital and was not put inside the freezer as it should have been awaiting an autopsy,” Curmi said.

“When I arrived with a friend, they (the hospital staff) did not want me to see the body at first. However, when I insisted, I discovered why,” the angry son told The Shift.

“Evidently, for some reason, my father’s corpse was left out of the freezer for three consecutive days in the heat and was already infested with worms. His body had completely turned black, and parts of his face were already missing with the infestation,” the young Curmi said, horrified.

His friend, who accompanied him, confirmed Samuel’s experience, explaining that the smell emanating from the corpse due to its advanced stage of decomposition was unbearable. He did not wish to be named.

The Shift asked Curmi whether he had questioned staff on why his father’s body was left in that state. “At the time, I couldn’t even talk because I was in shock seeing my father in that state,” Curmi replied.

“Later, when I asked the staff for an explanation, no one spoke,” he added.

Samuel is now demanding a full explanation from the authorities.

Writing on social media, he asked for a full inquiry and for those responsible to answer.

When contacted, a spokesman for the health minister told The Shift that the ministry was not yet aware of the incident and would look into the issue. So far, no official response has been received.

Samuel Curmi told The Shift that his lawyer had filed a police report on the issue, and an inquiry should be underway.

“I have not buried my father yet, and I want those responsible to give us an explanation for their failures. This country has hit rock bottom, and I don’t want anyone to get this treatment, let alone my father,” he said.

According to the police, the 57-year-old man was found dead in his field on the outskirts of Victoria, apparently after falling from a ladder. The police investigation is still ongoing.

                           

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karmenu Psaila
karmenu Psaila
4 months ago

If this is true, we have surely touched the bottom of the pit , this is the worse disrespect to the dead sacred person and his family , even the church should speak out ,because this is unacceptable.

Charles Vassallo
Charles Vassallo
4 months ago

OMG! It’s enough to know that a loved one has passed away…. but to ILLEGALLY and against ALL Health and Regulations to leave such corpse literally rotting away against health protocol and also respect towards the deceased’s next of kin beggars belief!

To say the least, it’s a very sad and traumatic incident for his (deceased person) family to see such utter irresponsibility coming from our so called state of the art hospitals and their management.

Heads must truly roll here with resignations and persons responsible taken up to court for criminal liability.

N Scerri
N Scerri
4 months ago

Hlew u ramew flus il poplu u issa lanqas ghal servizzi basici ma baqa flus.

David
David
4 months ago

No one is responsible in this country. Shameful. Disgrace.

Anne R. key
Anne R. key
4 months ago

THIS IS TRAGIC BEYOND WORDS.
WHERE IS THE CLEVER MINISTER OF HEALTH? – WHAT EXCUSE DOES HE NOW HAVE UP HIS SLEEVE? CALL AN ELECTION BOBBY – AND put this country out of its misery!

Joseph Tabone Adami
Joseph Tabone Adami
4 months ago

There’s the legacy of Vitals HEALTH CARE, for you.

One wouldn’t even let that happen to a dead dog!

Gavin Vella
Gavin Vella
4 months ago

Care to elaborate sur Tabone Adami?

Tony Barbaro Sant
Tony Barbaro Sant
4 months ago

To say this is shocking is putting it mildly. No cover ups. Heads should roll. No excuses.

M.Galea
M.Galea
4 months ago

Min jahseb li jmur l isptar biex jiehdu hsiebu sejjer zball! Anzjani jigu trattati taz-zibel! Anzjani jitrattawhom ta pruginieri ghax t tfal ma jridux jafu bihom!! Anzjana tokrob bl ugigh u hadd ma jaghti kasha!! Nurses jew carers kwazi kollha barranin!!Kullhadd sar bla qalb! Fiex gabna dal gvern! Kompli ifrah gahan!

Francis Said
Francis Said
4 months ago

What a shame. A full immediate investigation and whoever was responsible for this malpractice must face Court proceedings ASAP.

Bryanna
Bryanna
4 months ago

Absolutely disgusting very insensitive and disrespectful My heart goes out to the family and deepest condolences may justice be served and it is desperately needed in this country

Carmelo borg
4 months ago

L EWWEL L OMOR LILEK U IL FAMILJA.
VERU TAL MISTHIJA.
LIL OMMI META MIETET KIEN IS SIBT U KELNA NODHUWA IT TLIETA GHAX QALLU LI IL LIFT TAL KAMRA MORTWARJA KIEN IL HSARA U META XTAQNA NODHUWA IT TNEJN FIL GHODU QALLULI LI BIL HIN U KIEN HEMM QABILA. Hadnija it tlieta l ahjar WAHDA fit 3pm.
KELNA inhalsu 125 euros TAL ibbarzmar ghax qalli li tista tibda taghmel IR rieha u 12 EUROS TELLI KEFNUWA FIL KAMRAU ALLA IBIEREK IRCEVUTI. XEJN

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