By Arthur Mahasi
Many Kenyans will be shocked to
learn they may practically have
buried their loved ones alive.. As
bizarre as it sounds, it is a distinct
possibility. In many countries, it is
illegal to declare somebody dead
unless certified so by a medical
doctor. This involves carrying out
tests on the remains of the deceased
for confirmation. But how many of
us bother? With one doctor for
every 1,200 Kenyans, there simply
aren’t enough medics to go round
certifying the dead.
Slipped into coma
As soon as someone purportedly
"dies", the relatives whip themselves
into frenzy, wailing uncontrollably
and rolling on the ground. And yet
the relative could only have slipped
into coma.
Not all patients who slip into coma
die. In fact, many survive to live
normal lives. Many victims of
accidents and diseases like diabetes
go into a coma for several days and
have to be put on life support
machines in Intensive Care Units.
Although some eventually die,
others walk home to live normal
lives.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon has been in a coma on life
support machines for the last five
years and is not dead, yet.
Funeral rights
Mzee Mudome, a neighbour and a
friend of my late father from a small
village in Hamisi District, fell ill and
purportedly "died". For three days,
relatives mourned and kept vigil over
his dead body as funeral rites and
burial arrangements were made.
Mourners, however, got a terrible
shock when, as pallbearers
approached the grave with the
casket, they heard what sounded like
a sneeze followed by a cough from
inside the coffin. The presiding
pastor did not believe his ears and
fled for dear life leaving his Bible at
the graveside.
Other mourners fled in all directions
in panic as Mudome knocked hard
on the coffin walls yelling for it be
opened. Two courageous men
returned to open it. Indeed, Mudome
was alive and the first thing the
hungry man asked for was porridge.
For weeks, people avoided him
thinking he was a ghost, which was
not the case. He had just recovered
from a coma.
A ceremonial banana plant was
planted in the grave according to
Luhya customs. He went on to live
for many years before he died
"again."
This time, the mourners waited for
more than three days hoping that he
would "resurrect" a second time but
this was not to be. He was only
buried when his remains started
decomposing.
Formalin
Thus, relatives of perceived "dead
victims" should not rush to treat and
embalm the body with formalin
unless the victim has been
confirmed dead by a qualified
doctor. The chemicals that are
hurriedly pumped into the victim’s
chest only help to finish them off
even if they were in a coma they
could have recovered from.
This should provide food for thought
for religious and cultural beliefs that
demand the immediate burial of the
dead.
Many Kenyans will be shocked to
learn they may practically have
buried their loved ones alive.. As
bizarre as it sounds, it is a distinct
possibility. In many countries, it is
illegal to declare somebody dead
unless certified so by a medical
doctor. This involves carrying out
tests on the remains of the deceased
for confirmation. But how many of
us bother? With one doctor for
every 1,200 Kenyans, there simply
aren’t enough medics to go round
certifying the dead.
Slipped into coma
As soon as someone purportedly
"dies", the relatives whip themselves
into frenzy, wailing uncontrollably
and rolling on the ground. And yet
the relative could only have slipped
into coma.
Not all patients who slip into coma
die. In fact, many survive to live
normal lives. Many victims of
accidents and diseases like diabetes
go into a coma for several days and
have to be put on life support
machines in Intensive Care Units.
Although some eventually die,
others walk home to live normal
lives.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon has been in a coma on life
support machines for the last five
years and is not dead, yet.
Funeral rights
Mzee Mudome, a neighbour and a
friend of my late father from a small
village in Hamisi District, fell ill and
purportedly "died". For three days,
relatives mourned and kept vigil over
his dead body as funeral rites and
burial arrangements were made.
Mourners, however, got a terrible
shock when, as pallbearers
approached the grave with the
casket, they heard what sounded like
a sneeze followed by a cough from
inside the coffin. The presiding
pastor did not believe his ears and
fled for dear life leaving his Bible at
the graveside.
Other mourners fled in all directions
in panic as Mudome knocked hard
on the coffin walls yelling for it be
opened. Two courageous men
returned to open it. Indeed, Mudome
was alive and the first thing the
hungry man asked for was porridge.
For weeks, people avoided him
thinking he was a ghost, which was
not the case. He had just recovered
from a coma.
A ceremonial banana plant was
planted in the grave according to
Luhya customs. He went on to live
for many years before he died
"again."
This time, the mourners waited for
more than three days hoping that he
would "resurrect" a second time but
this was not to be. He was only
buried when his remains started
decomposing.
Formalin
Thus, relatives of perceived "dead
victims" should not rush to treat and
embalm the body with formalin
unless the victim has been
confirmed dead by a qualified
doctor. The chemicals that are
hurriedly pumped into the victim’s
chest only help to finish them off
even if they were in a coma they
could have recovered from.
This should provide food for thought
for religious and cultural beliefs that
demand the immediate burial of the
dead.
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