**Body Left in Paphos Morgue for Nearly Three Years, Audit Reveals**
A recent report from the Audit Office has unveiled alarming conditions at the Paphos General Hospital morgue, where a body was left refrigerated for an astonishing 1,040 days—far exceeding the standard 30-day limit. The findings were made public on Wednesday and have raised serious concerns regarding hygiene, public health, and the respect owed to deceased individuals and their families.
The report stems from an unannounced inspection conducted in May 2026, prompted by media reports highlighting issues such as rancid decomposition odors and the accumulation of bodies within the morgue. Since the beginning of 2023, there have been numerous complaints regarding the facility's operations, yet no corrective measures have been implemented.
The Audit Office emphasized that the situation is not merely a matter of respect for the deceased but also poses significant risks to hygiene and public health. "Such conditions touch upon hygiene, work environment safety, and, in a broader sense, the protection of public health," the report stated.
During the inspection, auditors were unable to enter the morgue due to ongoing disinfection procedures. Consequently, their findings were based on interviews with hospital staff, representatives from the health ministry, and correspondence from various departments. The evidence gathered indicated that the morgue was not adhering to international standards for body storage, which could lead to issues such as misidentification of bodies and difficulties in locating them when needed.
The report criticized the management of the morgue, noting that the state health services organization, Okypy, had seemingly neglected its responsibilities regarding the operation and maintenance of the facility. The auditors found inadequate maintenance of critical equipment, stating, "From the evidence given to us, we were not able to confirm that the maintenance of the refrigerator equipment was being made as often as provided for in the contract."
Additionally, the inspectors highlighted the absence of a warning system for equipment faults, with problems only becoming apparent through unpleasant odors. The morgue also lacked alternative storage options for bodies in the event of equipment failure and was reportedly understaffed.
In light of these findings, the Audit Office recommended that the morgue adopt international standards for body storage. This includes implementing automated monitoring systems, establishing fault warning systems, and ensuring the availability of alternative storage facilities. Furthermore, the report called for a formal agreement between the health ministry and Okypy to clarify responsibilities for the morgue's operation.
In response to the report, Okypy acknowledged that on the day of the equipment failure, the morgue was in use for storing bodies in refrigerators and freezers. They clarified that while the refrigerator had malfunctioned, the freezer remained operational and no postmortems were being conducted at that time. Okypy reiterated that bodies should only be refrigerated for up to 30 days, after which they should be transferred to freezers.
The situation at the Paphos General Hospital morgue has sparked outrage among local residents and raised questions about the overall management of health services in the region. Paphos Mayor has called for immediate action to rectify the issues at the morgue, emphasizing the need for respect for the deceased and their families.
As the community grapples with the implications of the Audit Office's findings, it remains to be seen what steps will be taken to address the deficiencies in the morgue's operations and ensure that such a situation does not occur again in the future. The report serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining standards in healthcare facilities and the potential consequences when those standards are not met.