ENGLERSTON MP Glenys Hanna Martin. (File photo)
By SYANN THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
sthompson@tribunemedia.net
MP for Englerston, Glenys Hanna Martin is calling for the “dignified and respectful” removal of bodies which were stored after Hurricane Dorian.
In a statement to the press, Mrs Hanna Martin described the government’s response to Hurricane Dorian as “anaemic”. “We call for the immediate dignified and respectful removal of these remains. This grotesque situation playing out in the life of Abaconians is almost unspeakable and not consistent with our values as a Bahamian people,” said Ms Hanna-Martin.
She highlighted the uncertainty around the death toll and the public debate of the actual numbers of missing persons. “The reported scores of bodies of victims of Hurricane Dorian which are being stored in a container outside of the Abaco Hospital all these months is, however, a scandalous disgrace. I am advised that the bodies have been stored in this container for months and on occasion due to lack of timely refueling of the container's refrigeration unit, the bodies de-ice before the refrigeration is restored leading to degeneration and stench. I am further advised that the container is not secured with a lock,” said Mrs Hanna-Martin.
Meanwhile Health Minister Dr Duane Sands told The Tribune in an earlier interview that the outstanding issues would be to ensure that his ministry and relevant agencies have done everything that they could possibly do in terms of identifying bodies from the tragedy, including having the assistance of the International Red Cross to help immigrants reluctant to come forward. “We need to identify a place for interment. We need to agree on a type of grid that would be set up and how we would reference remains,” said Dr Sands.
In mass tragedies, the identification process can be prolonged; the September 11 attacks on New York is an example where victims are still being identified some 18 years later. In The Bahamas, the law states it takes seven years to declare a missing person dead, something Dr Sands says would have to be modified in view of the circumstances.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 3 months ago
I'm all for the HOA and Senate enacting a special law authorising these unidentified and/or unclaimed corpses to be respectfully interred by Hanna-Martin in her backyard.
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 3 months ago
P. S.: There's nothing this loud-mouthed, wretched and most despicable nepotist and vixen will not try politicize for the benefit of the PLP. The people of Englerston are worse off than they have ever been but nevertheless seem content to continue voting for her as long as she's willing to attend their weddings, baptisms and funerals, and throw the rare morsel or two their way come general election time. Truly a sad state of affairs for the impoverished people of Englerston whom she has, much to her credit, successfully managed to brainwash over decades.
TalRussell 4 years, 3 months ago
Sadly, the kinds “dignified and respectful," and may I add, be** truthful and accountable,"" when dealing all matters relating the hurricane dead bodies of which Comrade "Sister" Gleny', speaks so eloquently of, is simply put, not in hearts the human beings charged with running colony's instruments government. The dead will not see the shedding tears by this red regime. How difficult can it be to tell, where have all temporary morgue's freezer trucks - been parked the last 138 days? Amen!
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