Authorities probe claim failure to provide oxygen led to death of elderly patient

Health Ministry has opened an inquiry into the allegation that medical workers failed to provide an elderly patient with oxygen, leading to her death.

The patient, a 74-year-old woman from Th. Kinbidhoo, died on Saturday night.

A spokesperson from the Health Ministry confirmed on Sunday that they are looking into the case.

The patient’s son told Sun that his mother was initially taken to the Veymandoo Hospital, after she had trouble breathing and her condition deteriorated.

The hospital told the family she needed to be transferred to Male’ City.

She was then taken to Thimarafushi on a sea ambulance, for a flight out to Male’.

The issue with the oxygen occurred in Thimarafushi, as she was being transported on an ambulance to the airport.

“I believe it most likely that the oxygen cylinder provided in Veymandoo ran out,” he said.

Health Ministry said that details regarding the case will be disclosed depending on the progress of its inquiry.