Claims asylum seeker Hamid Kehazaei virtually unrecognisable when medically evacuated
EXCLUSIVE
Unrecognisable: Hamid Khazaei was already in an allegedly critical condition before he was transferred from Manus Island.
When Iranian asylum seeker Hamid Kehazaei was medically
evacuated to Brisbane from Port Moresby, he was unconscious, his body
almost unrecognisable due to his swollen state, it has been alleged.
The 24-year-old man, who was treated at Brisbane's Mater
Hospital, was pronounced dead a week later by Immigration Minister Scott
Morrison. But new details have emerged, suggesting the young man's
condition was already critical by the time he reached Papua New Guinea's
capital on August 26 from Manus Island.
Mr Kehazaei was known as an "all right bloke" by security
guards on Manus Island. He died from severe septicaemia, a bacterial
disease that had entered his blood stream after he cut his foot at the
offshore processing centre.
An expatriate contractor, who has asked to remain anonymous,
described the 24 hours on August 26 in Port Moresby as being "panicked"
and "critical" to saving Mr Kehazaei's life.
"From when he arrived, he needed oxygen," the worker said.
The man then had five cardiac arrests, the worker said.
Medical staff told the worker they would have to amputate Mr Kehazaei's
leg, due to the spreading of septicaemia, but his condition worsened.
A leaked report obtained by Fairfax Media shows that the mood
in the detention centre continues to be low and Iranian asylum seekers
are blaming medical provider the International Health and Medical
Service for Mr Kehazaei's death.
Mr Kehazaei is the second Iranian asylum seeker on Manus Island to die this year. Reza Barati died during violence in February.
The report by a service provider on the island says: "It is
likely some Iranian transferee will spread malicious rumours about
GDD059's death to further their own personal agendas, as well as to
exploit unrest to further their own agendas and standings amongst their
countrymen."
It also says that "low-level animosity and reproach will be directed towards IHMS" by the asylum seekers.
But the worker claims two nurses from IHMS in Port Morseby
worked tirelessly to save the man, claiming Mr Kehazaei had fallen ill
"very quickly" on Manus Island.
"They tried to do everything they could for him but the word was he was finished," he said.
The worker said Mr Kehazaei's body was swollen,
unrecognisable and then completely covered up when medically evacuated
by charter plane to Brisbane.
Mr Morrison has since ordered a medical investigation into the death and the care he received while on Manus Island.
"The matter is currently before the coroner and the minister
has asked the department's chief medical officer to conduct an in-depth
clinical review on the background to the transferee's medical condition
and care while at Manus OPC," a spokesman for Mr Morrison said.
Do you know more? Email swhyte@fairfaxmedia.com.au
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