Immigration Detainee Dies In Melbourne Hospital
Media Release - DPS 40/2003
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) confirmed today that a male Vietnamese detainee died in a Melbourne hospital last night.
The man was detained on 8 May after the cancellation of his visa on character grounds.
When detained the man was suffering from pre-existing complex medical conditions.
Since his detention the man had received constant medical attention both within the centre and as a patient of a Melbourne hospital involving close cooperation between centre staff and hospital medical personnel on the man's case.
Management of his medical condition was frequently complicated for both hospital staff and detention centre staff by the man's regular refusals to accept medical treatment and his refusals to remain in hospital, despite medical advice that he should. The man had been in and out of hospital on seven occasions in the six weeks he was in detention.
The man's condition deteriorated late yesterday afternoon at the centre, in part due to his refusal to cooperate in his medical treatment.
An ambulance was immediately called by a nurse to transfer the man to hospital, where doctors assessed him as terminally ill. He died at approximately 6.30pm last night.
The death has been referred to the Coroner and DIMIA awaits advice on whether the matter will be investigated. DIMIA stands ready to cooperate in any investigation. DIMIA wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the man's family and friends.
20 June 2003
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