The Moto'otua Hospital morgue has reopened after a two-month closure caused by broken mortuary refrigerators, but plans to install two new refrigeration units remain on hold while authorities await a tender for an extension to the facility.
A source familiar with the matter said the Ministry of Health ordered the morgue to close after several mortuary refrigerators became inoperable. The closure was also intended to allow for an extension that would accommodate two new refrigeration units.
However, a tender for the extension has not yet been issued, delaying the project.
"The morgue was closed because the ministry planned to extend the facility so two new mortuary refrigerators could be installed. Some of the existing refrigerators had broken down, but the tender for the extension has still not been issued," the source said.
"The morgue reopened on 19 June and is now operating again, but the two new refrigerators cannot be installed until the extension is completed."
