Cameroon’s major urban centers face a persistent and troubling challenge: dozens of deceased individuals remain unclaimed in hospital morgues, straining capacity, complicating preservation efforts, and introducing significant public health risks.
Across the nation, lifeless remains can linger for extended periods in hospital cold storage units without any family or next-of-kin coming forward. This recurring issue is particularly acute in cities like Douala, Yaoundé, and Bafoussam. In a recent official statement released on July 7th, the administration of Yaoundé General Hospital highlighted the presence of 80 unclaimed bodies within its morgue. While some individuals have been identified, many others remain anonymous.
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These deceased individuals originate from various neighborhoods, having been transported to the morgue primarily by gendarmerie units, hospital stretcher bearers, municipal services, and police stations. The hospital director has issued an urgent appeal to families, urging them to visit the morgue to identify those whose names appear on the published list. Failure to do so will result in the bodies being transferred to the Yaoundé Urban Community for communal burial.
This critical situation extends beyond the morgue of Yaoundé Central Hospital. In Bafoussam, located in the West region, authorities undertook the burial of 42 unclaimed bodies in a mass grave on April 16, 2025. This action followed a final public announcement from Bafoussam Regional Hospital, which had provided a ten-day window for families to identify and retrieve 28 specific bodies, some of which had been stored in the morgue for approximately seven years.
Dr. Jean-Marie Ndjip, the hospital director, explained at the time that his facility’s mortuary operates with a finite capacity. He cited frequent power outages as a major contributing factor, leading to unbearable odors and rendering the service area practically unusable. According to Dr. Ndjip, clearing the hospital’s morgue was a necessary measure. His explanation sheds light on the severe ramifications of abandoned remains in these facilities.
The continuous accumulation of bodies significantly diminishes available storage space, escalates electricity consumption, and exposes living individuals to serious health hazards. This escalating phenomenon, attributed both to the financial hardship of certain families and the irresponsibility of others, also imposes substantial financial burdens on healthcare institutions. While these bodies require consistent preservation and maintenance, the associated costs remain unsettled by any responsible party.