Probe underway into alleged negligence leading to infant’s death in GA. Gemanafushi

The case of a seven-month-old infant dying allegedly due to negligence at the Gemanafushi Health Center in Gaaf Alif Atoll, has surfaced.

The seven-month-old infant died on April 16.

According to media reports citing the family, on April 11, the child was taken to the island’s health center after he exhibited flu-like symptoms including a runny nose, where he was given steam inhalation treatment. Then on April 15, he was taken to the doctor for a second time, and additional tests were conducted. The family stated that since the test results would be available after 8pm, they returned home.

However, that night, as the child was crying incessantly and developed breathing difficulties, they took him back to the health center. Initially, a nurse examined the child. Suspecting additional health issues, they called for a doctor to begin treatment. The family claimed that they used a syringe to forcefully push IV fluid into the child's nose, in an attempt to flush the nostrils out and clear his airway.

On the fifth attempt to push the syringe into the right nostril, blood came out of the left nostril along with the IV fluid. They then noticed the child was somewhat unresponsive. The child then vomited, and when they realized he wasn't breathing, the nurses began administering back blows. After performing CPR, they claimed the child was fine and transferred him to Villingili Hospital for further treatment.

The family said that at Villingili Hospital, the child was put on a ventilator. That night, he was sent to the capital Malé City by air ambulance early in the morning. On Wednesday morning, treatment began at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), however, the family cited doctors having said his heart had already stopped by then.

While the family alleges that the infant died due to negligence at the Gemanafushi Health Center, the Ministry of Health has revealed that they are aware of the case and are looking into the necessary aspects.

RaajjeMV’s attempts to attain a statement from the Gemanafushi Health Center regarding this matter were to no avail at the time of publishing. The family has since reported the case to the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

As the case of alleged negligence leading to the death of an infant at Gemanafushi Health Center has surfaced, there have been other recent incidents as well. This month alone, there was a case of alleged negligence towards an infant who sustained burn injuries in Makunudhoo island of Haa Dhaal atoll, and another case in Nellaidhoo Health Center in the same atoll, where an expired IV was administered to an infant.

Several continue to complain about the poor state of the healthcare system in the Maldives and the lack of proper treatment. Some people have alleged that lives have been lost due to the negligence of healthcare providers.