Probes begin into unborn baby death

The police and health ministry have launched separate probes into the alleged negligence of a hospital over the death of  an unborn baby.

Lhaviyani atoll hospital was accused of negligence after the discovery that a woman had been carrying a dead baby for a week.

“We took the initiative to investigate the matter based on media reports. We got the documents yesterday [Monday],” said Thasleema Usman, the health ministry’s deputy director general.

Police also began an investigation and obtained samples from the operation theatre at the state-owned Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, reported Raajje MV.

A lack of facilities and qualified doctors at regional hospitals and island health centres has caused concern in the past, even protests, with Maldivians travelling to the capital for treatment.

Earlier this week IGMH said it had launched an internal investigation after a child’s condition worsened while she was in its care.