Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after the EMRI’s refusal to ferry the dead body of the 64-year old to Panjim for cremation due to “uncleared files”, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has clarified that the (ambulance service provider) company wanted a clear Standard Operating procedure to “protect” their staff from infection.
Speaking to Herald, Rane rejected charges that the EMRI blackmailed authorities and the Health department for clearing their payment.
“There was no question of any blackmailing. Their payments have been sorted out. It was only a question of some permissions and procedures,” he said.
The Health Minister added that EMRI was concerned about their staffers.
“The EMRI was obviously concerned that their staff can contract COVID from the patients and was awaiting clear SOPs,” he said.
He stated that the issues are now being sorted out.
“What happened was not sad but things are being resolved,” he stated.
It may be recalled that the family of the COVID-19 deceased from Taleigao, went through an unpleasant ordeal on Thursday just when the body was about to be taken to St Inez crematorium, due to the non-availability of the EMRI ambulance.
