Grieving community protests alleged negligence in death of mother and newborn

    

Protesters in black gathered outside the atoll hospital in Gaaf Alif Villingili yesterday to demand better healthcare. The demonstration followed what was seen as the preventable death of a mother and baby after an emergency caesarian section on Wednesday.

Shiuna Thaufeeq, 35, died on the runway at the nearest airport while awaiting transfer to Malé. Advanced care in the capital failed to save her son. 

“No one will know how I cry and the pain in my heart. I will do anything necessary for the sake of my wife. I won’t let this go. I want to call on the president to improve this hospital. My wife won’t come back. But you should improve this island’s hospital,” her husband said at Saturday’s gathering.   

He described inadequate treatment after her hospitalisation with breathing difficulties and multiple delays and equipment failures in the attempted transport to Malé.

Shifaz Zahir, the bereft father of daughters aged eight and 13, previously spoke to Mihaaru about the agonising choice of prioritising saving his wife over the child and mourned the immeasurable loss of a “perfect” woman. 

The tragedy was a harrowing reminder of the life-and-death stakes of the gulf between Malé and other islands. It laid bare the limited facilities for a population of 9,000 in the southern atoll, including the lack of a neonatal ICU, a pediatrician who was needed elsewhere, and no oxygen support or power supply for ventilators during transport.

In the wake of the incident, the health ministry announced a review and recalled a Nepalese doctor from the atoll hospital. A police investigation has been ordered, the home minister tweeted on Friday.

Neonatal-maternal deaths - such as the sudden death of a 20-year-old woman with her unborn twins in December 2019 - are rare in the Maldives with low rates of mortality achieved during the ascent to middle-income status. A 90 percent decline from 1990 to 2015 was the largest drop in the world.

2:15am: Admission after experiencing breathing difficulties. Only given oxygen mask. No IV administered.

10:00am: After gynecologist examination, tests reveal severe fluid in lungs. Decision made to transfer to Malé.

3:50pm: Condition deteriorates. Placed on ventilator while awaiting transfer approval.

4:30pm: Condition severely worsens. Decision made for emergency C-section. Family asked to choose between saving mother or baby.

8:30pm: Transfer supposedly arranged. Family waits with documents as flight gets repeatedly delayed.

11:00pm: Flight further delayed. Family only informed upon questioning.

12:15am: IGMH medical team arrives. Air ambulance ventilator discovered to be broken. Hospital ventilator incompatible with aircraft. Oxygen supply system is insufficient.

2:15am: Death pronounced on Kooddoo Airport runway. Body returned to atoll hospital.

6:00am: Infant passes away while undergoing treatment at IGMH NICU in Malé.

Mother and child were buried together after afternoon prayers.