Human Rights and Gender Committee to hold inquiry into the untimely death of the 13-year old boy from GA. Villin'gili, assuring that leaders of involved institutions will be interrogated to ascertain if negligence factored into the boy's death.
Following the passing away of 13-year old Mohamed Jaah Khalid due to medevac delay, Parliament’s Human Rights and Gender Committee has resolved to summon the leaders of concerned institutions in order to conduct inquiries.
The boy, who was placed on ventilator support at the the Gaafu Alif Atoll Villin’gili hospital last Wednesday, was transferred to Male’ City close to sunset the next day, despite requests for a prompt transfer.
The child subsequently passed away while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in IGMH (Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital).
The family has insisted that the death was avoidable had the concerned parties acted in accordance with the emergency and the government is also facing harsh criticism due to this.
During today’s Human Rights and Gender committee meeting, Chairperson Jeehan Mahmood stated that during the interrogation of the leaders of the involved institutions, the committee will clarify the protocols for emergency transport of critical patients.
Jeehan said that they will investigate whether there are standard operation procedures (SOPs) for acting during such emergencies and ascertain whether these existing protocols were followed during this tragedy. He also stated that they will inspect to verify whether a negligence had occurred and ensured that in such a case, the responsible parties will be identified.
“All members highlighted that we should be vigilant to the dangerous and extreme nationalism that would pose a threat to the lives of people.” Jeehan said.
Most members that attended the committee meeting had agreed that statements released by State agencies reveal the government’s negligence had factored into the cause of the child’s death. The members noted that while the Maldivian Airline medevac was delayed, a rationale needs to be clear on the failure to utilize the India’s Emergency Dornier or Helicopter ambulance services.
Jeehan appealed to members to extend cooperation to expedite the inquiry despite the Parliament currently being in recess.
In a statement given to Mihaaru News, Health Minister Abdulla Khaleel said that investigations are ongoing to ensure whether a negligence of treatment or any other factors had occurred to result in the boy’s untimely passing and asserted that due action will be taken against any parties found guilty.
At the death of the 13-year old child, the State had changed the policies of the national airline Maldivian, to prioritize patient transfer over scheduled flights effective since last night.
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