Health Emergency Operations Center HEOC Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq has apologized on behalf of the HEOC to the family of the man who passed away from COVID-19 on Tuesday for calling to isolate the patient after the person had died from the illness.
Addressing the media, Dr. Nazla said Health Protection HPA had called the 67-year-old local man on Tuesday to take the patient to an isolation facility, 30 minutes after the person died while under treatment at IGMH ER.
The man was rushed to the ER after having breathing difficulties.
Dr. Nazla said HPA had called the man to arrange the transfer to an isolation facility as the person was listed as a high-risk patient with HPA prioritizing elderly patients and patients with underlying conditions while transferring COVID-19 patients to the isolation facilities.
She pledged that the HEOC would work to ensure that such a mistake is not repeated.
The family of the deceased have aimed heavy criticism to the HPA following the incident. The family had said that the deceased had been identified as a high-risk patient and that the family had begged the HPA to shift the patient under its care for further treatment and accused the HPA of gross negligence.
A total of 21 people have died of COVID-19 in the country since April of this including 16 locals and 5 foreigners.
