MoH improves SOP following burial issue of 8th COVID-19 victim

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has acknowledged the possibility of a misunderstanding between the Kelantan State Health Department (JKN) and the police and those involved.

According to him, the MoH has improved its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) following the incident.

"There may have been a misunderstanding between JKN and the police and others. We have investigated the matter and improved our SOP," he said at a press conference here on Tuesday.

An individual had previously posted a status on social media claiming that the MOH had tried to shed its responsibility while handling a burial and instead handed five Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits without providing explanation on handling a COVID-19 infected corpse.

He had also questioned the actual SOP in managing a COVID-19 infected corpse, whether the next-of-kin should be involved too or leaving it to the MoH to take care of things.

The body of the first COVID-19 victim in Kelantan was buried at the Islamic Cemetery, Rantau Panjang at around 3.30 am, 22 March 2020.