Protesters in Gaaf Alif Villingili island have demanded justice over the tragic death of a woman and her newborn baby on Wednesday.
The pregnant woman was taken to the Gaaf Alif Atoll Hospital in critical condition and underwent a caesarean. But her condition deteriorated and was awaiting emergency transportation to Male' when she and the baby died.
Protesters, dressed in black, gathered near the hospital in Villingili island on Saturday evening and marched through the streets carrying banners and posters.
They were demanding an expedited investigation and swift action into the negligence and also calling on the government to strengthen the island's health system and provide better doctors for the hospital.
They further called for the establishment of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to expedite the project to build a new atoll hospital.
Shiuna Waheed, 35, who was eight months pregnant, was taken to the hospital on Tuesday night with breathing difficulties and underwent a cesarean section on Wednesday evening.
She died while awaiting air transport on the runway of Kooddoo Airport and her baby died while on the plane to Male'.
Shiuna previously had two daughters, aged 13 and eight and had a son this time. The newborn boy and the mother were laid to rest at noon on Thursday.
According to the hospital, the Health Ministry has launched an investigation into Shiuna's death. But the hospital declined to comment further.
