Manus suspected typhoid cases transfers delayed

Refugees on Manus are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of two more possible typhoid cases on the island. Two typhoid cases were transferred from Manus to Port Moresby just before Easter, but two more suspected cases are still on Manus.

One of the sick refugees, a 30-year-old Rohingyan man, was moved out of East Lorengau into an isolation area. According to refugees on the island, his condition has badly deteriorated. He was expected to be transferred to hospital in Port Moresby today (Friday, 26 April), but inexplicably he is still on the island.

The other suspected typhoid case, a 26-year-old Indian man, has been left in the Hillside compound. His condition is also deteriorating, and there are indications this afternoon that he will be moved to isolation as well.

There has been no preventative action to ensure all refugees and asylum seekers in the three Manus compounds are vaccinated; a failure that is endangering the health of more people on the island and potentially putting lives at risk.

“We need these guy to be transferred to Port Moresby urgently,” one refugee told the Refugee Action Coalition, “They are getting sicker every day. There is no treatment on Manus.”
Doctors at the Lorengau hospital have told refugees on the island that do not have the facilities to definitely diagnose more typhoid cases.

“The typhoid cases are just more evidence of the lack of health care on Manus Island, and the desperate situation that the Australian government has created in the offshore detention centres,” said Ian Rintoul.

“The cases give the lie to the government claims about the standard of medical care offshore. It’s time all the refugees and asylum seekers were brought to the mainland to get the care and protection they need. “

For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713

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