Last updated : 10 years ago

IGMH lab technician arrested

The foreign laboratory technician, allegedly responsible for the transfusion of HIV positive blood to a pregnant woman at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), has been arrested. He was earlier summoned to Parliamentary Committee on Oversight of the Government at 2:00 p.m. today. Chairperson of the Committee MP Ali Waheed said while speaking at the ongoing committee meeting, that the police had informed the committee that the lab technician is under arrest. His arrest has not been confirmed by the police.

17:15

Health Ministry has said that the blood donor was newly identified as an HIV patient.

17:09

The blood was provided by the patient’s family. It did not come from the blood bank. We are doing everything possible to prevent human error.

16:50 Shahubaan Fahumy

Health Ministry has said that the lab technician was dismissed from his post at a hospital in the atolls following some incidents back in 2006. Committee Chairperson Ali Waheed said that the committee was aware that the lab technician was dismissed from his post at Alifu Alifu Rasdhoo Health Centre. He claimed that IGMH should not have hired him after he was dismissed by this health centre.

16:35

When asked by Baarah MP Shifaz if any member of the woman’s family had been infected with HIV, Dr Shakeela said that in line with the HIV Protocol, it was not possible to comment on anything related to that matter.

We’re prepared to do everything necessary to restore public confidence in the health sector. What happened now was human error. We haven’t tried to deceive anyone. We announced this not because any media group found out about it, but because we believe that the public has the right to know

Ongoing meeting of Parliamentary Committee on Oversight of the Government

16:30

I take responsibility for this sad incident of transfusion of HIV positive blood.

Senior officials of Health Ministry at the ongoing meeting of Parliamentary Committee on Oversight of the Government

16:21

Dr Shakeela has said that the delivery of medical equipment and doctors have been facilitated through foreign aid and other means. She has expressed concern over the small budget allocated to the health sector.

16:15

Referring to the calls for her resignation, she said that her resigning would not solve the problem.

The problem would not be solved even if I resign. We requested MVR 9 billion, but received only MVR 2 billion for the health sector.

16:10

Thus far, we have acted in the best way possible following the incident, and we have discussed the matter with relevant groups. It would not be good to try to hide this. The people have a right to know. Our health sector is weak; it’s been ignored for a very long time.

Health Minister Dr Maryam Shakeela at the parliament committee

16:07

Dr Shakeela has apologised for the blood transfusion incident, and said that it happened not because a laboratory machine malfunctioned, but due to the fault of a technician.

It was not deliberate. I was informed of the incident on the evening of 19 February.

16:06

Committee meeting with Health Minister Dr Shakeela has resumed and media has been allowed in.

15:41 Ahmed Azif

Health Minister Dr Maryam Shakeela has arrived at the parliament. The committee has been closed off for media, while it hears information on the victim. Media will be allowed in again at 4:00 p.m.

Ongoing meeting of Parliamentary Committee on Oversight of the Government

15:29 Shahubaan Fahumy

Dr Habeeb has said that Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed had assured that the government will take care of all healthcare needs of the victim.

All healthcare personnel in the country must take responsibility for this… Attorney General’s Office has provided advice on this matter. It is also under investigation by the police.

15:19

Police have confirmed the lab technician’s arrest. Police said that an individual had been arrested on suspicion of negligence in the transfusion of HIV positive blood to a pregnant woman. They however did not confirm when the individual was arrested.

15:17 Shahubaan Fahumy

Health Minister Dr Maryam Shakeela has been summoned to the committee for 4:30 p.m. The committee is attended only by MDP parliamentary group members; no pro-government members are present.

15:11

Habeeb has said that the lab technician had not admitted that this was done deliberately, and that he travelled to India suddenly on the day of the blood transfusion, but he is presently in Male’. Habeeb said that he was informed last night that the lab technician had been arrested.

Habeeb at the parliament committee

15:09

Deputy CEO of IGMH Mohamed Habeeb is being questioned by committee members.