Disposal of SARS-CoV-2 corpses: experiences of environmental health officers

Though the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is no more of a public health emergency, the experiences from burying SARS-CoV-2 infectious dead bodies may remain with the workers. For Environmental Health Officers (EHOs), dealing with decedents during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak may arouse strong feelings of pity, horror, repulsion, disgust, and anger at the tragedy. Therefore, this study aims to explore the experiences of EHOs in disposing off of confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 fatalities in Ghana.

Using an 18-item interview guide, we gathered data from 27 EHOs from three regions of Ghana. We followed the steps in Descriptive Phenomenology in conducting the data analysis.

i. EHOs were confronted with several occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards like physical and chemical injuries, threat of harm, and psychological harm, ii. The officers also faced severe shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Unfortunately, they were not provided with any form of psychological support during the period.

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Ghana exposed major fault lines in the health and safety/disaster and emergency preparedness of EHOs towards the burial of infectious disease dead bodies. Clearly, the disposal exercise failed to uphold the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4.4, 8.3, and 8.5, which advocate for the promotion of decent jobs for all.

Ghana's Ministries of Health, Local Government, and Sanitation and Water Resources need to attach Clinical Psychologists and security personnel to the disposal teams in future exercises to provide psychological support and security to the team. Though studies on the disposal of infectious bodies in Africa exist, very little is known about the experiences of EHOs in the disposal of SARS-CoV-2 dead bodies during the outbreak.