Heartbroken Mother Hears Son’s Final Plea Every Night: ‘Mummy, I Can’t Breathe’
The mother of Yusuf Mahmud Nazir, a five-year-old boy who tragically died after being discharged from A&E, has described her ongoing pain, saying she still hears his desperate voice pleading for help at night. Yusuf passed away on 23 November 2022 at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, just over a week after he was first seen at Rotherham Hospital and sent home. The case has sparked widespread criticism of the NHS, particularly over failings to listen to his mother’s concerns, and has prompted calls for an inquest into the circumstances of Yusuf’s care.
A recently published report has drawn attention to multiple failings by medical staff and has intensified scrutiny of how Yusuf’s family was treated. During a press conference in Rotherham, Yusuf’s mother, Soniya Ahmed, spoke through tears about her continued grief and dismay at the system’s failings. She recounted the haunting memories she relives every night—her son’s vulnerable voice repeating, “Mummy, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I really can’t,” and the heart-wrenching moment she held her son after his death. “Yusuf has been taken from us in the most horrific way,” she said.
Ms Ahmed’s anguish was matched by her determination to continue fighting for justice, not just for Yusuf but for all children failed by the system. She said that too many questions remain unanswered regarding Yusuf’s death, especially the specific factors that caused it. The family continues to call for a formal inquest and greater accountability from health authorities. “Every child deserves better. We demand change, and we need to know how and why our son died and who must be held responsible,” Ms Ahmed insisted.
The new investigation, led by Peter Carter, former General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, concluded that health professionals repeatedly ignored the concerns and instincts of Yusuf’s mother. The report highlighted a culture in which parental intuition was undervalued compared to clinical measures. This, it claimed, resulted in a lack of collaborative discussions and decision-making with Yusuf’s family and ultimately undermined their trust in the system.
Yusuf, who suffered from asthma, initially visited his GP on 15 November with a sore throat and was prescribed antibiotics. Later that evening, following increased concern, his family brought him to Rotherham Hospital, where they endured a lengthy six-hour wait at A&E. After a late-night assessment, Yusuf was sent home with a diagnosis of severe tonsillitis and a prescription for antibiotics. His condition continued to deteriorate—two days later, he was prescribed a further round of antibiotics for a suspected chest infection. His family, fearing for his life, called an ambulance and insisted paramedics take him to Sheffield Children’s Hospital instead of returning to Rotherham.
Despite being admitted to intensive care at Sheffield, Yusuf succumbed to multi-organ failure after suffering several cardiac arrests. A previously published report in October 2023 had suggested his treatment met clinical standards, a finding adamantly rejected by Yusuf’s family. The latest review acknowledged Yusuf had developed pneumonia and sepsis, which led to respiratory failure, but could not conclusively determine whether earlier admission and intravenous antibiotics would have changed the outcome.
In addition, the report identified serious flaws in coordination across all healthcare providers involved, noting Yusuf had 23 separate healthcare contacts in the days leading up to his death, yet there was no integrated record-keeping or oversight. Further concerns were raised regarding the methods used at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, with the family particularly disturbed to learn an outdated cannula technique may have deprived Yusuf of much-needed medication.
Yusuf’s uncle, Zaheer Ahmed, reiterated the family’s conviction that earlier intervention at Rotherham Hospital could have saved the young boy’s life. He spoke movingly about the loss, saying, “We miss Yusuf every single day. We truly believe he would still be here if he had received IV antibiotics at the right time.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting commented on the report, acknowledging the failings and promising that the recommendations would be put into action. He expressed deep sympathy for Yusuf’s family, noting that their loss remains immeasurable, while also expressing hope that Yusuf’s case will lead to real, lasting change within the NHS to protect other children in future.
Professor Aidan Fowler, the national director of patient safety in England, and medical directors from Sheffield and Rotherham hospital trusts all extended their condolences to the family and pledged to learn from this tragedy. They each stressed their commitment to implement the report’s recommendations to ensure similar tragedies are avoided.
The case of Yusuf Mahmud Nazir has thrown into sharp relief the crucial importance of listening to patients and their families. His legacy, his family hopes, will be one of demanding greater accountability and compassion from those entrusted with our most vulnerable.