Refugee Action Coalition
MEDIA RELEASE
FEARS FOR TWO-WEEK OLD REFUGEE BABY ON NAURU
There are serious concerns for the welfare of a two-week baby boy on Nauru.
The baby was born to Iranian refugees on 12 January.
The baby has a seriously infected umbilicus that has been left untreated since Thursday after the baby’s mother was
turned away at the Nauru hospital being told that the baby was too young for antibiotics and to bathe the infection with
salty water.
The infection had become so severe by Thursday night that the baby’s feet were swollen and bleeding. Doctors took six
attempts to get intravenous drip into the baby late Thursday night (Nauru time).
Yet no antibiotics were administered until Friday lunch-time. It seems that the antibiotics were only administered after
advocates had contacted IHMS and Border Force in Australia.
It is understood that the baby’s temperature has not been checked since 4.00am Nauru time.
“Tragically, this is yet another example of medical negligence on Nauru that may well have put this baby’s life at risk.
It would be unacceptable in Australia; it should be unacceptable in Nauru,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the
Refugee Action Coalition. “There is a very real risk of septicaemia in such situations and Nauru is a long way from
life-saving medical intervention. Monitoring the baby’s temperature is an elementary measure of the scale of the
infection.
“The safest measure is to arrange the baby’s medical evacuation. The fate of this baby’s life – like the lives of so
many others on Nauru - rests with Border Force and Minister Dutton. In scores of cases, they have ignored doctors’
recommendations for medical treatment.
“That can’t be allowed to happen. Bring the baby and his family to Australia. ”