The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Lusaka has partnered with the Lusaka City Council (LCC) to fund and facilitate the burial of 40 unclaimed bodies that had remained in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary for several weeks.
Mandevu Member of Parliament, Christopher Shakafuswa, praised the church for undertaking what he described as a solemn and compassionate responsibility rooted in the spirit of Ubuntu.
Speaking during a service at Mandevu SDA Church before the burials at Chingwere Cemetery, Mr. Shakafuswa noted that caring for the vulnerable is a principle reflected in the teachings of Jesus Christ, adding that service to others is a duty expected of all members of society.
“The reward for such a duty can only be gotten from above,” he said.
He urged families to seek assistance from churches and civic leaders whenever they face challenges with funeral arrangements, rather than allowing bodies to remain unclaimed in mortuaries.
“We have a sense of duty, all of us — including you, the journalists — to ensure that we put humanity first,” he said.
LCC Director of Public Health, Victor Kagoli, said the SDA Church’s intervention came at a crucial time, as the local authority has been facing financial constraints that made it difficult to conduct timely burials for unclaimed bodies.
Mr. Kagoli said the support had significantly eased the burden on the council and reaffirmed the importance of partnerships between public institutions and faith-based organisations.
“This act of kindness will go a long way in bringing closure to the families of the deceased and restoring dignity to the departed,” he said.
He added that while the council is mandated to ensure that unclaimed bodies receive a dignified burial, inadequate resources often hinder the process. He appealed to families to claim their relatives whenever possible.
From the SDA Church, Mandevu Mission District Seventh-day Adventist Federation Leader Martha Hadebe revealed that the church spent more than K40,000 to complete the burial process.
Ms. Hadebe said the initiative forms part of the church’s commitment to community service, inspired by Biblical teachings on caring for the neglected and vulnerable.
“We received contributions from Dorcas workers and well-wishers, which made it possible to cover the costs of burying these unclaimed bodies,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to donors whose support enabled the church to provide dignity to the deceased and comfort to affected families.
“We appreciate the support from the community. It is a reminder that we are all part of a larger family, and we should strive to help one another in times of need,” she added.
Ms. Hadebe said the SDA Church will continue collaborating with communities and civic authorities to address social challenges, especially those affecting vulnerable groups.
By Kuchalo reporter
Picture:SDA women