MDP links child’s death to wider failures in healthcare and alleges negligence by state agencies

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed deep concern over the death of a six‑year‑old child with special needs, alleging that the incident resulted from negligence by state agencies.

The child, Ibrahim Azaan Suhail, reportedly went without a required feeding tube for months. In a statement issued Wednesday, the MDP described the case as one of “deliberate negligence” and called for a thorough, independent investigation by all relevant institutions. The party urged authorities to implement corrective measures to prevent similar tragedies.

The MDP said the incident reflects a broader deterioration in the healthcare system. According to the party, hospitals and clinics have recently stopped providing certain Aasandha‑covered services, forcing patients to pay out of pocket. The party also accused the government of corruption in medicine procurement, alleging that planned changes to NSPA and STO rules would allow purchases from selected individuals for undue benefit.

“This party believes that many families are suffering due to the lack of essential medicines, and many lives are at risk of being lost due to negligence and delayed treatment,” the statement said.

The MDP added that the public is facing “unbearable hardship” due to what it described as government incompetence at a time when the cost of living continues to rise. The party urged the government to prioritise spending on public health and safety instead of “wasteful expenditure”.

The case came to public attention after social media activist Midhuam Saud posted about it on X. According to him, the child’s mother had waited six months for a PEG feeding tube. He said NSPA and STO later confirmed that no order had been placed for the tube. When a private donor finally sourced one, the child was already critically ill. Midhuam accused state agencies of extreme negligence.

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has launched an investigation into the child’s death.