IGMH Says Medical Team Closely Monitored Eight-Month-Old Before Death

Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has clarified that its medical team had been closely monitoring the eight-month-old baby who passed away while receiving treatment at the hospital, following allegations of negligence shared on social media.

In a press release issued yesterday, IGMH said they were deeply saddened by the child’s passing and reaffirmed its commitment to handling all complaints with the utmost seriousness. The hospital also detailed the medical care provided and addressed the concerns raised.

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The child’s family has stated their belief that the death resulted from negligence and delays in care.

In response, IGMH explained that a dedicated team of paediatricians had been overseeing the child’s condition, adjusting treatment as necessary. The hospital states that their medical records indicate that, alongside the ward’s medical officers, a paediatric specialist regularly attended to the child.

The hospital further clarified that when an ICU transfer is recommended, the attending medical team initiates the process immediately. If the hospital’s ICU is at full capacity, the team arranges for the patient to be transferred to another ICU facility in Malé.

IGMH highlighted that fevers and infections—whether in children or adults—can escalate rapidly and unpredictably, making early assessment of severity particularly challenging in some cases.

The hospital conducts an internal review after every such incident to identify gaps and improve clinical care. IGMH confirmed that it is actively investigating this case and will take appropriate steps to address any identified shortcomings, with the aim of strengthening service delivery and patient safety.

Family’s Complaints

Yunal Hussain, the sister of an 8-month-old baby who recently passed away at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), said in a post on Meta that the infant was admitted with a cough and fever but rapidly deteriorated due to what she describes as medical negligence and delayed intervention.

Upon admission, the child became severely bloated from head to toe. Despite multiple blood tests, medical officers repeatedly claimed it was “just an infection” without identifying its source. His condition worsened daily, yet the family had to repeatedly request the presence of a qualified doctor. Routine checks were minimal and lacked communication about the child’s diagnosis or progress.

By the fourth day, the baby was in visible distress—crying continuously, barely conscious, and no longer opening his eyes. On the fifth day, only after family members insisted, Dr Faisal examined the child and confirmed liver failure. Despite this, no critical action was taken in time to save his life.

She also noted that during resuscitation efforts, the child bled from his mouth, nose, and ears, raising concerns about whether CPR was administered appropriately. The ward reportedly lacked a defibrillator, and staff appeared unaware of its absence.

The approval of the overseas transfer was granted ten minutes after the baby had passed away. This, according to her, highlighted the inefficiency and insensitivity of the healthcare and insurance systems.

She states that her brother, the only son in the family in 40 years, died not due to his initial illness but because of systemic failure. His story, she says, reflects a wider issue: a healthcare system that prioritises the privileged and leaves ordinary citizens behind when they need urgent, compassionate care the most.