New Delhi: A 14-year-old Maldivian boy died of stroke after the Island nation’s aviation authorities refused to immediately use an India gifted aircraft to shift the boy from a remote island to the national capital for better treatment.
Reacting to the boy’s tragic death, Maldives MP Meekail Naseem posted on X: ‘People shouldn't have to pay with their lives to satisfy the President's animosity towards India,' NDTV reported.
The boy, already battling brain tumor, suffered a stroke on Wednesday night when his family desperately sought Dronier aircraft, manufactured by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to airlift him from Wilmington in Gaaf Alif Villingili to Maldive's capital Male.
The boy lost 16 crucial hours after his family’s distress call went unanswered till Thursday morning, sparking protests near the hospital in Gaaf Alif Villingili.
Subsequently, the patient whose health was rapidly deteriorating was airlifted and transferred to the national capital, admitting him to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
His aggrieved father told the local media outlet Adhahu ‘We called Island Aviation to get him to Male immediately after the stroke but they did not answer our calls. They answered the phone at 8:30 am on Thursday. The solution is to have an air ambulance for such cases.’
Aasandha Company Limited, the company responsible for medical evacuations, blamed a last-minute ‘technical glitch’ as the cause of the delay.
‘It is with deep regret that we acknowledge the unfortunate passing of the patient involved in the emergency medical evacuation incident from GA Vilingili on January 18, 2024. The entire management and staff of Aasandha Company extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them, seeking solace in Allah (SWT) for the departed's eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus,’ the company reportedly stated.
Local media reported protests outside the hospital where the boy died.
The delay in using India made aircraft comes against the backdrop of the strained ties between India and the island nation, according to NDTV.
Since coming to power November last year, President Mohamed Muizzu has begun to warm up to China departing from Maldives’ ‘India first’ policy.