Authorities are investigating whether the tragic death of 13-year-old Mohamed Jaah Khalid, who faced significant delays in transportation from Ga. Villingili Hospital to IGMH in Male' City, resulted from negligence.
Jaah was transported to Male' City on Thursday, 16 hours after doctors ordered him to be sent for further treatment. According to his family, Jaah's condition continued to deteriorate in the time waiting for transportation. He passed away on Saturday morning while receiving treatment at IGMH.
A health ministry official has confirmed an ongoing investigation into potential medical negligence leading to Jaah's death. Action will be taken if any issues are identified, the official stated.
Following Jaah's death, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu implored the authorities to revise and modify the current protocols surrounding the emergency transfers of patients requiring immediate medical attention to prevent such incidents henceforth. Furthermore, the President directed Island Aviation Services Ltd. to establish a protocol prioritizing timely patient transportation for critical patients without requiring the completion of the approval process by administrative bodies, such as Aasandha.
In line with the revised policy, Maldivian conducted three emergency charter flights to transport critical patients over the last 24 hours. This includes the transportation of a patient who sustained serious injuries in an accident in Fuvahmulah City.
