Health Ministry said that it launched an investigation into the death of a mother who passed away shortly after giving birth to her third child via caesarean section at Gaafu Alifu atoll Villingili Hospital.
In a social media post, the ministry said that it was "deeply concerned and saddened about the tragic incident" and that they are now reviewing the case, assuring that necessary action would be taken.
According to the family, the woman, who has been identified as Shiuna Thaufeeq and her newborn child passed away due to delayed intervention due to not being transported to Malé City for further treatment.
It was reported that Shiuna was admitted to the hospital during the early hours of Tuesday morning at eight months pregnant due to breathing difficulties. She passed away not 24 hours later.
While Shiuna passed away on the runway at Kooddoo Airport while being transported to Malé, her baby passed away in Malé while receiving care.
Shiuna's close friend told Mihaaru News that Shiuna's breathing was so laboured when she went to the hospital that she had to hold onto something to support herself.
Her family also accused that the hospital failed to provide adequate care right from the admission itself.
After she got admitted, Shiuna's condition reportedly deteriorated and the resident gynaecologist decided to perform a c-section to deliver the baby. With no paediatrician in the island, they had to wait on the doctor to come from Gaafu Dhaalu atoll Thinadhoo's Regional Hospital.
"The whole time they said the plane was on its way, that Aasandha was arranged. [Kept saying] the flight was coming, the flight was coming. They said that from the time, from 4 pm onwards," the resident said.
Mihaaru reported that Shiuna was originally due to be flown to Malé at 07:00 pm, but that the flight was cancelled after they were told her condition was stable. However, her condition continued to deteriorate and the air ambulance had to be flown to the island.
While this case is now under investigation, a similar issue also arose from the same hospital last year.
A 13 year old boy passed away from reported delays in being transported to Malé on 20th January 2024.
At the time, it was said that the boy was consulted to the hospital because of vomiting but that they decided to send him to Malé after discovering a tumour in his brain.