The iTaukei community in Ovalau are unable to fully perform their full traditional funeral rites for their loved ones as the Levuka Hospital mortuary has not been operational for months.
Avisai Bulivorovoro of Waitovu Village in Levuka says families were given an hour to bury their loved ones and for them, it's painful to find a way to get financial assistance in an hour.
Bulivorovoro says some families that needed more time to get the proper rituals spent more on buying ice from the ice factory in Levuka to keep the body frozen until they have put together a burial plan.
He added that some families have to follow instructions given by the doctor but the doctors do not realize the effect it brings to family members living in Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and abroad.
The man from Levuka says what is happening in their hometown is just like watching a movie that shows people carrying body bags and catching a ride in their boats.
He says it's a repeat of the COVID-19 pandemic where people have to bury their loved ones on the same day.
People are wanting clear answers on when the Levuka mortuary will be fully operational.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says they will have to collect funds to fix the Levuka Hospital mortuary.
Dr Fong says with a total of 4 trays that were working at the mortuary, only two are functional.
