A heart-wrenching incident that unfolded on the remote island of Wilmington in Gaaf Alif Villingili, a 14-year-old Maldivian boy lost his life, triggering a wave of grief and anger within the community. The cause of this tragedy is now entangled with allegations that President Mohammed Muizzu denied permission for the use of a potentially life-saving Indian Dornier aircraft.
The boy, already battling a brain tumor and the aftermath of a stroke, desperately needed an air ambulance to transport him to the advanced medical facilities in the capital city of Male. The family's distress calls, however, went unanswered for a critical 16-hour period, resulting in protests near the hospital as the community expressed its frustration over the delay.
The grief-stricken father, speaking to local media outlet Adhahu, lamented the lack of a prompt response, emphasizing the urgent need for an air ambulance in such cases. "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," he stated.
Despite the subsequent successful transfer to Male, the child's health continued to deteriorate rapidly. Upon arrival, he was immediately admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The tragedy took a further toll as Aasandha Company Limited, responsible for medical evacuations, cited a last-minute "technical glitch" that contributed to the delay in the evacuation process.
The company issued a statement expressing deep regret over the unfortunate passing of the patient and extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. However, this did little to assuage the anger brewing in the local community, as protests were reported outside the hospital where the boy passed away.
The incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism against President Muizzu, with Maldivian MP Meekail Naseem declaring, "People shouldn't have to pay with their lives to satisfy the President's animosity towards India." Former Deputy Ambassador to the UAE from Maldives, Mohamed Faisal, echoed the sentiment, highlighting another recent incident where a family lost their son at sea due to Muizzu's refusal to deploy the Dornier. Faisal questioned, "How many lives must be sacrificed due to Muizzu's pitiful arrogance?"
Adding a layer of complexity to the tragedy is the backdrop of strained diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives. The tension has escalated in recent months, particularly after President Muizzu assumed office, signaling a shift in foreign policy towards closer ties with China and a departure from the previous "India first" approach. The incident with the denied medical evacuation approval for the Indian Dornier aircraft now serves as a stark illustration of the political fallout and its devastating human consequences.
As the Maldivian community mourns the loss of a young life, questions linger about the impact of political decisions on the well-being of individuals in need. The tragedy underscores the importance of prioritizing humanitarian concerns above political differences, as nations navigate the delicate balance of diplomatic relations in an increasingly interconnected world.
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