"Maldives Mourning: Teen's Fatal Wait for Air Ambulance Unveils Alleged Political Tensions and Consequences"2024

“Minister Accuses President” for Teen’s Fatal Wait for Air Ambulance:

Maldives Minister Meekail Naseem points fingers at President Mohamed Muizzu for the death of a teenager in GA Vilingili. The tragic incident involved a 14-year-old Maldivian boy who needed urgent transportation from Gaaf Alif Villingili to the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in the capital city, Male.

Aasandha Company Limited, the folks handling medical evacuations, released an official statement stating that their Medical Section swiftly processed and greenlit the ambulance airlift in just 12 minutes.

Maldives Teen’s Medical Emergency Exposes Gaps in Evacuation System”:

The 14-year-old from Gaaf Alif Villingili in the Maldives had a brain tumor and suffered a stroke, as reported by India Today.

According to Maldivian media, the teenager’s family claims that authorities didn’t act quickly to arrange medical evacuation. The boy’s father mentioned, “We tried calling Island Aviation right after the stroke, but they didn’t pick up until 8:30 am on Thursday. Having an air ambulance for such cases is the solution,” as quoted by Adhadhu.

The statement from Asandha Company indicates that the teenager reached Male sixteen hours after the evacuation request was made.

Aasandha Company Limited, which got the urgent evacuation request, mentioned they started the evacuation process right away. However, they explained that, unfortunately, a last-minute technical issue with the flight prevented the diversion as originally planned.

Media Statement: Regarding the Emergency Medical Evacuation Incident from GA Vilingili on January 18, 2024 pic.twitter.com/4weAjLEPPA

— Aasandha Company Ltd (@AasandhaLtd) January 20, 2024

Minister Condemns Tragedy: Urges End to Political Hostility Impacting Lives:

Maldivian minister Meekail Naseem expressed his thoughts on social media platform X, referring to a local media agency’s report on the tragic incident. He stated, “No one should lose their life due to the President’s hostility towards India.”

People shouldn’t have to pay with their lives to satisfy the President’s animosity towards India. https://t.co/PPOOKVXN7v

— Meekail Naseem 🎈 (@MickailNaseem) January 20, 2024

Here’s how everything unfolded:

On Wednesday night, the child had a stroke, and his family urgently sought an airlift to Male. Sadly, their calls for help went unanswered until Thursday morning when the Maldives’ aviation authorities finally got in touch.

Although they managed to transport the child to Male, the situation was grim as his health rapidly worsened. Upon reaching Male, he was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Local reports say there were protests outside the hospital where the child eventually passed away.

Earlier Maldives Requested Withdrawal of Indian Troops and Aircraft:

Maldivian President Muizzu has requested India to pull back its troops from the Maldives. The approximately 100 troops and a few Dornier aircraft stationed there were supposedly used for providing humanitarian aid and supplies to the island nation.

As per local reports, to decrease reliance on India, President Muizzu, who is seen as pro-China, has temporarily halted the use of Indian Dornier Aircraft until they are withdrawn by March 15. These aircraft are manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and were provided by India to the Maldives.