A 69-year-old doctor, the first COVID-19 patient to die in Meghalaya, was laid to rest at a cemetery here on Thursday, a day after a city crematorium denied performing his last rites, citing lack of personal protective gear to handle coronavirus fatalities, and protest by locals.
John L Sailo Ryntathiang, founder of the Bethany Hospitals in the state, died on Wednesday morning, while six members of his family, including his wife, tested COVID-19 positive.
The Shillong premises of the Bethany Hospitals, where Sailo was admitted, and its second campus at Nongpoh in Ri Bhoi district, were sealed and sanitised while all occupants of the two facilities were quarantined inside the medical establishments, officials said.
"Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang laid to rest at the Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Cemetry today. Kindness is the need of the hour and our gratitude goes to the Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Church for their gesture. May his soul rest in peace," Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma tweeted,