Manus, Nauru refugees waiting years for medical transfers

Port Moresby: Some refugees detained by Australia on Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island have waited for more than five years for medical transfers recommended by doctors.

Medical records obtained by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) for 49 refugees show the majority of people waited for two to three years for transfers. Twentyfive of the refugees are still waiting.

Members of the group suffer from a wide range of treatable physical conditions such as cardiac and respiratory problems, kidney stones, infections and joint conditions as well as gynaecological and urological problems, ASRC said.

Some have mental health conditions manifesting in suicide attempts and selfharm. The records show that when transfer requests for physical problems were neglected, people developed mental problems parallel to intensifying physical symptoms.

“There are over 1080 people held offshore, and the ASRC has a waiting list of 215 people needing our help to push for desperately needed medical treatment,” the advocacy group said.

“The transfer system is failing and will lead to more deaths.”

Eleven refugees detained on the two islands have died with some deaths attributed to transfers being delayed. Currently, a panel comprised mostly of bureaucrats is responsible for transfer decisions.