Iranian asylum seeker Hamid Kehazaei dies in Brisbane hospital after life support switched off

Updated

An Iranian asylum seeker has died in a Brisbane hospital after being transferred from Manus Island detention centre with septicaemia.

Hamid Kehazaei, 24, cut his foot three weeks ago and developed septicaemia before being moved to the mainland for treatment.

He had a heart attack before being declared brain dead on Tuesday.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed Mr Kehazaei died after his family provided consent for withdrawal of his life support.

"An imam was present at the time of death and the government of Iran will be informed," Mr Morrison said in a statement.

"I am very saddened by this man’s passing and on behalf of the Australian Government I extend our deepest sympathy to the man's family and friends.

"My department has and will continue to provide support to the family and has been in contact with family members during the course of the man's treatment.

"I have instructed the department to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the repatriation of the body of the deceased man to his family in Iran should this be requested.

"The Queensland coroner will be advised of the death and my department will cooperate fully."

The Immigration Department's chief medical officer would also conduct an in-depth clinical review of Mr Kehazaei's case.

"This will be in addition to any medical review that will also be undertaken by the medical services provider, International Health and Medical Services, conducted as part of their normal clinical governance arrangements," Mr Morrison said.

"I will await the outcomes of this report before making any further comment on the medical treatment provided in this case."

Activist says medical care wasn't good enough

Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul earlier accused authorities of taking too long to act.

Mr Rintoul said Mr Kehazaei sought medical attention for days before being flown to Port Moresby, then into intensive care at Brisbane's Mater Hospital last week.

He said Mr Kehazaei was a victim of "the shocking conditions and medical neglect on Manus Island".

"It is inexcusable that he developed septicaemia on Manus Island," he said.

"Nothing else to describe it, but it is just sheer negligence."

The Greens have also called for an urgent investigation into medical care on Manus Island.

Mr Morrison said in his statement that criticisms of the case were "not based on any primary knowledge of the event or the circumstances".

"Such prejudicial commentary is unhelpful and unfortunate," he said.

In a written statement, Labor's immigration spokesman Richard Marles said the Government had taken the right step in asking the chief medical officer to review the case.

"Mr Morrison needs to ensure that review is made public as soon as possible," he said.

"Labor has strong concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the treatment of asylum seekers under the Abbott Government.

"Every single Australian-funded facility must be run in a manner that is safe, humane, dignified and allows for proper oversight."

Topics: refugees, federal-government, community-and-society, immigration, brisbane-4000, papua-new-guinea, australia

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