Parliament committee to probe child's death over transport delay
The committee meeting concluded upon agreement to summon the relevant agencies to the committee.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
The Human Rights and Gender Committee of the Parliament on Sunday decided to investigate the alleged negligence in the death of the 13-year-old boy who died after being treated at the atoll hospital in G.A. Villingili.
A 13-year-old boy who was admitted to the Villingili Hospital on Wednesday night after suffering a stroke died at the IGMH on Saturday due to delayed transport and inadequate treatment.
The Human Rights and Gender Committee of the Parliament decided to look into the matter on its own initiative.
The committee chairman, Hinnavaru MP Jeehan Mahmood, said the committee's responsibilities were to investigate the incident. She noted that many people allege that the delay in bringing the child to Male was due to the delay in transporting the boy in an emergency medical evacuation.
Jeehan said:
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The emergency evacuation was delayed due to a technical problem that delayed the Maldivian airline’s flight from reaching the child
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The use of Indian helicopters and Dornier aircraft to transport patients in emergencies has now been discontinued
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This is the second time a child's life has been neglected without using available resources
"If the service is available, which has been facilitated, but is not being utilised in the event that the life of a citizen and especially a child has been endangered, it is a matter for investigation, if it is not utilised due to a policy adopted or due to diplomatic issues that have arisen," Jihan said.
Speaking in the committee, Meedhoo Constituency Member Rozaina Adam moved:
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Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon should be summoned to the committee to clarify the current rules on the use of Dornier aircraft
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Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer to be summoned for clarification on relations with India
Rozaina said the committee needs to clarify from the government why it changed its policy of sending people to India for medical treatment to sending them to Dubai and Thailand instead.
The committee meeting concluded upon agreement to summon the relevant agencies to the committee. It has decided to clarify whether an emergency evacuation system has been established and clarification of the government's current procedures.
Indian donated aircrafts were earlier used to carry patients who needed to be airlifted, which operates in collaboration with our armed forces. This government has stopped using these aircraft and the government has been criticised for making it difficult to carry patients who need to be airlifted in emergency situations and putting the lives of patients at risk.
However, the government has denied the allegations. The national airline has also been asked to strengthen its procedures for medical evacuations and change its policy to give priority to emergency patients.
