Malé, Maldives – Husband of Salma Naseer, who passed away during childbirth in February 2021, Ibrahim Ahmed has decided to file a case against ADK for negligence due to which his wife passed away.
A letter sent by Health Ministry earlier this week to the family regarding the case of Salma Naseer stated that ADK hospital failed to administer blood transfusion to the patient for an hour although the hospital blood bank had matching blood available.
Former Prosecutor General and cousin of Salma’s husband Ibrahim Ahmed, Muhthaz Muhsin told local media that the family believes that ADK was negligent in the case which lead to the death of Salma and that as there was room for case to be tried they had decided to go ahead. He also stated that they would pursue civil and criminal charges through which action could be taken against those who are responsible in the case.
Advocacy Chambers which is handling the case also told added that taking action against medical service providers in such cases is to look in to cases of negligence by healthcare professionals and service providers and also to lower the number of people who are affected by negligence or malpractice.
Muhthaz Muhsin also told that the family was not persuading a monetary compensation but that they would donate the money in a case where it comes to getting a compensation. He also told that they would submit the case to Maldives Police Service and Medical Council as its a case of medical negligence.
In defense of Health Ministry’s letter stating that ADK had not administered blood for over an hour to Salma, ADK said that she had come in for a normal delivery and the the childbirth went normally as well. ADK also added that once she started to bleed excessively that the hospital had started the necessary treatment immediately to prevent further blood loss.
In their letter to the family, Health Ministry detailed the events leading up to Salma’s death.
1 February 2021:
- Patient was admitted to the hospital. 2 blood donors were crossmatched with the patient.
3 February 2021:
- Patient gave birth to child around 12:20. Patient experienced heavy bleeding. The amount is not indicated in hospital records. Baby was delivered using vacuum extraction, leading to unstopped bleeding to the mother. Patients family was informed that a hysterectomy might be required.
- Blood was not transfused at this point. The mother was conscious and smiling. She experienced fainting symptoms by which time blood was arranged from ADK Hospital’s blood bank.
- 1 hour past deliver, mother was not transfused with blood.
- Patient was taken to operation theatre around 14:00, experienced difficulty in breathing. Hospital records show that patient was losing consciousness and blood pressure could not be read. The heart rate was very high, recorded over 190/min.
- Blood was transfused at 14:25 by which time heart rate was at 42/min.
- At approximately 14:30 the hysterectomy procedure started. Patient went into cardiac arrest during the procedure, CPR was administered.
- Patient passed away around 16:00 same day.
The Health Ministry noted that it is possible for a patient to pass away during childbirth. However, health facilities must be prepared for all emergency situations that may occur during delivery. The Ministry also noted that it is imperative for blood to be ready for immediate transfusions to save lives.
