Health Ministry launches probe into infant death in GA. Villingili

The Health Ministry has launched an investigation into the death of a newborn at GA. Villingili Regional Hospital, following allegations of negligence raised by the family of the mother.

The deceased was the daughter of a 38-year-old woman who had given birth after 17 years. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, and the family claims the hospital failed to provide timely and adequate care.

A Health Ministry official told Sun on Sunday that the case had come to their attention and was now under review. A team will be dispatched to Villingili to assess the circumstances surrounding the death.

According to a family member, the mother had experienced cervical bleeding during her pregnancy and was referred from GA. Dhaandhoo Health Centre to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male’. There, doctors reportedly found her cervix open, performed a cervical cerclage, and admitted her for monitoring. After several days, she was discharged and returned to Dhaandhoo.

However, the family said she began bleeding again and was taken to the regional hospital in Villingili on the night of November 7. Despite the hospital’s limited capacity to manage her condition, the attending doctor allegedly refused to transfer her to Male’, insisting that both mother and baby were fine.

The family claims the woman, though not in pain, was administered paracetamol, other painkillers, and IV fluids three times a day. When they questioned the treatment, nurses reportedly said they were following the doctor’s instructions.

At around 03:00 hours on Sunday, the woman began bleeding heavily, passing blood clots. The family, increasingly alarmed, contacted the doctor, who they say responded angrily. By the time the doctor arrived, the woman had already delivered the baby in her ward bed. The newborn died shortly after birth.

The manager of the Atoll Hospital told Sun that the hospital would also investigate the case if a formal complaint is filed. “If there is a problem with the doctor, he will be dismissed,” the manager said.

This is not the first time the Villingili hospital has faced allegations of negligence. The incident has sparked concern among residents and prompted calls for accountability.