IGMH has experienced its most unpleasant incident in its 18-year history.
With the approval of just one employee, the hospital made its biggest blunder during its treatment of a female Maldivian patient, by accidentally transfusing blood of an HIV positive donor, into the patient.
The Health Ministry had arranged a press conference to confirm the incident where the patient had been transfused with HIV-positive blood. On behalf of the ministry as well as IGMH for making a mistake of such magnitude, they had also sought forgiveness from the patients family.
In the press conference, IGMHs active deputy CEO, Dr. Mohamed Habeeb explained that the transfusion occurred on the 3rd of this month, but the hospital knew nothing about the incident up until the 19th.
Noting the mistake that the employee made, he further clarified that the employee had been working in the medical field for 8 years, and had never made such an error even once before.
As IGMH aims to keep up its reputation as a safe and trustworthy treatment facility, the hospital is currently taking all steps necessary to prevent any more incidents such as this one in the future.
The Health Ministry's Director General, Dr. Sheeza Ali said that the employee responsible, was now relieved from the post, and that the case is now turned over to the police.
She added that the patient in IGMH was currently being undertaken into a treatment program which abides by the WHO guidelines, and that they are taking steps to resolve the matter with the consultation of the Attorney General.
Dr. Habeeb stated that according to the WHO guidelines and limitations, information of the donor and the patient will remain as confidential.
He also said that they will look into each and every aspect of the incident, and will not leave the matter unsolved.
As IGMH had pointed out that the government seniors will be taking all necessary steps to sort out the situation, Dr. Habeeb emphasized on his apology on behalf of IGMH making such a mistake, and assured that the hospital will never make such a sullying mistake that would spoil the facility's reputation.