PG Office decides not to press charges over death of pregnant woman and newborn

Jan 5, 2026, 4:21 AM
The residents of Villingili staged a protest last year demanding justice over the tragic deaths. -- Photo: Hussein Hassan

The residents of Villingili staged a protest last year demanding justice over the tragic deaths. -- Photo: Hussein Hassan

The Prosecutor General's Office (PG) has decided not to press charges in connection with the death of a pregnant woman and her newborn baby after a cesarean section in Gaaf Alif Villingili island last year.

Police filed the case and sent a notice to the family saying the case was declined by the PG Office as there was a low possibility of proving a crime after filing charges in the case.

Shiuna Waheed, 35, who was eight months pregnant, was taken to Villingili hospital with breathing difficulties and underwent a cesarean section on the following day. She died while awaiting air transport on the runway of Kooddoo Airport and her baby died while on the plane to Male'.

Shiuna's husband told Adhadhu that he was hopeless following the decision to file the case and that he does not believe that justice will be done no matter how hard he works.

"I don't know where to go or what to do it. I don't believe that justice will be done no matter how many doors I knock on. The crime was to get treatment, to go to the hospital. But it is a fact the flight and treatment was delayed," he said.

Police launched the criminal investigation after the Homeland Security Minister ordered them to take legal action against anyone who was negligent.

Shiuna's family says there was negligence by the Villingili hospital and the air ambulance which led to the deaths.

Her oxygen level was extremely low before she died, but the hospital did not take it seriously, the family alleged.

They also noted that the air ambulance was not equipped with oxygen and other equipment.

The residents of Villingili staged a protest last year demanding justice over the tragic deaths.

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