Sudden death of seven-month-old infant sparks allegations of negligence

The family of a seven-month-old infant from Gaafu Alifu atoll Gemanafushi has alleged medical negligence following the child’s death after treatment for what began as a common cold.

The baby, the son of Hussain Shahbad and his wife, died after being treated at the island's health centre. According to Shahbad, the child had shown no signs of serious illness before April 15, aside from a mild cold and runny nose.

“He had a bit of a cough, but the doctor said there was no fever and suspected it might be an allergy,” Shahbad told Mihaaru News.

“He was a very active child and had never been diagnosed with any illness.”

On medical advice, they began nebulizing the child at the health centre. On the third day, Shahbad said the baby was still active and alert after treatment. They were told to return at 8 pm for another nebulization session.

That evening, after being fed a small amount of sweet potato for the first time alongside his usual milk and crushed biscuits the baby started crying. Initially assuming he was sleepy, his parents prepared to take him back to the clinic, but became alarmed when he wouldn’t settle.

“At the health centre, a nurse nebulized him and later called the doctor when she became concerned,” Shahbad said.

“I was present throughout. We even asked if it could be a reaction to the sweet potato, but the doctor did not pay much attention to it.”

Shahbad said the doctor used a syringe to flush IV water into the child’s nostrils in an attempt to clear mucus. On the fifth attempt, blood dispelled from one nostril along with the IV water.

“The nurse asked if he was alright, but the doctor was speaking English and I didn’t understand,” Shahbad said.

The doctor then gave the baby an injection, suspecting an allergic reaction. By that point, the child had become unresponsive.

“Less than two minutes later, he vomited through his mouth and nose. I knew I’d lost him. The machine’s line was flat. I shouted that my baby was dead,” he said.

According to Shahbad, CPR was initiated and the health centre staff claimed the child was breathing again.

A speedboat was arranged by the family to take the baby to Gaafu Alifu Villingili hospital. However, he said oxygen was only administered after boarding the speedboat at around 10 pm.

“Even when his condition worsened, they didn’t give him oxygen,” Shahbad said.

“At Villingili, they said his heart wasn’t beating. The baby was then taken to Male' by air ambulance at 6 am.”

Doctors at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital performed CPR for 45 minutes but declared the child dead at 8 am.

Shahbad said he was informed that the Ministry of Health had opened an investigation.

“There was negligence. I believe my child died because of it, that he was killed on the island.” he said.

He also claimed that IGMH staff were not given a full report of the treatment the child had received at the island health centre.

In response, the manager of the health centre said all available treatment was provided and the child was transferred to Villingili within 30 minutes. The manager said they had not been officially informed of any investigation.

Mihaaru News however confirmed that the Ministry is investigating the incident.

Shahbad has lodged a complaint at the Gemanafushi police station regarding the case.