Scandal surrounds sale of dead bodies to funeral homes

A police investigation following recent reports in Gazeta Wyborcza and Radio Lodz has confirmed a shocking practice in Lodz hospitals whereby ambulance crews received payment of up to zl. 1,800 for delivery of deceased persons to local funeral parlors. The press report also alleged that doctors were responsible for facilitating deaths through delayed medical intervention or use of the muscle relaxant Pavulon. Ryszard Lewandowski, former director of the Lodz ambulance service, confirmed he was aware of the sale of info rmation regarding deceased patients but denied allegations of murder. Current ambulance director Boguslaw Tyka said that beginning February 1, ambulance crews will no longer be sent to issue death certificates, and that general practitioners will now be responsible for this. Deputy Health Minister Aleksander Naumann said that a meeting between the Health Minister and all ambulance service directors has been scheduled in order "to avoid or prevent such practices." The issue will be discussed today by the Parl iamentary health commission. (Gazeta Wyborcza, pp. 1, 3; Reuters) M.T.K.