Baby death in state care 'suspicious'

There are suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the five month old baby while under state care, Mihaaru understands.

Mihaaru understands that the baby had difficulty breathing and was rushed to the hospital around 11am and the police were also informed around the same time.

The baby was first taken to the hospital in the reclaimed suburb Hulhumale and was declared dead by the doctors.

However, the baby was then taken to the state run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) was further scans and tests.

Police have now decided to perform a postmortem, reportedly after scans revealed injuries that were deemed suspicious by investigators.

Gender ministry's executive coordinator Mohamed Shakeeb told Mihaaru on Thursday that both the human rights commission of Maldives and the police have been asked to investigate the circumstances surrounding the baby's death.

The ministry had also formed a special committee to probe the death, Shakeeb said.

"Once we receive the respective reports from both the institutions we would also do our own investigation," he added.

The ministry had earlier vowed to strict action if negligence is found in the baby’s death.

Funded by a UAE businessman, the special shelter for children under the age of nine was opened last year.

Around 85 children under state care are presently housed in the facility.