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Second pregnant woman in Nauru detention a ‘serious health concern’ Second pregnant woman in Nauru detention a ‘serious health concern’
(about 20 hours later)
A second pregnant woman is being held in immigration detention on Nauru, the UNHCR has confirmed to Guardian Australia.A second pregnant woman is being held in immigration detention on Nauru, the UNHCR has confirmed to Guardian Australia.
The woman, of Rohingya descent, is thought to be about 30 years old and is seven months pregnant with twins, according to UNHCR and other sources who did not want to be identified.The woman, of Rohingya descent, is thought to be about 30 years old and is seven months pregnant with twins, according to UNHCR and other sources who did not want to be identified.
The woman told representatives from the UN refugee body, on an official visit to Nauru last week, that she was also diagnosed with diabetes, meaning the pregnancy is high-risk. She has two young children and is being held in regional processing centre 3, along with her husband and family. Regional processing centre 3 is the family unit which comprises three marquee tents.The woman told representatives from the UN refugee body, on an official visit to Nauru last week, that she was also diagnosed with diabetes, meaning the pregnancy is high-risk. She has two young children and is being held in regional processing centre 3, along with her husband and family. Regional processing centre 3 is the family unit which comprises three marquee tents.
The news follows calls to remove a pregnant 22-year-old Iranian woman from immigration detention on Nauru after concerns she would not receive the specialised medical care needed to deliver twins. The Iranian woman’s pregnancy is also believed to be considered high-risk.The news follows calls to remove a pregnant 22-year-old Iranian woman from immigration detention on Nauru after concerns she would not receive the specialised medical care needed to deliver twins. The Iranian woman’s pregnancy is also believed to be considered high-risk.
Australian medical experts have raised “serious concerns” about both cases.Australian medical experts have raised “serious concerns” about both cases.
The first children and family groups were transferred to regional processing centre 3 in August, with the accommodation described as “vinyled marquees” with “vinyled partitions” and ceiling fans. The Department for Immigration said at the time there were no plans to install air conditioning in the centre.The first children and family groups were transferred to regional processing centre 3 in August, with the accommodation described as “vinyled marquees” with “vinyled partitions” and ceiling fans. The Department for Immigration said at the time there were no plans to install air conditioning in the centre.
Nauru’s main hospital was partially destroyed in a fire in August, with the X-ray department, pharmacy and medical reserves all lost. Joanna Olsson, the director of Nauru’s Office of Information, said rebuilding had not yet begun but many of the services lost were now being provided at the island’s public health centre. The maternity ward was not affected in the fire.Nauru’s main hospital was partially destroyed in a fire in August, with the X-ray department, pharmacy and medical reserves all lost. Joanna Olsson, the director of Nauru’s Office of Information, said rebuilding had not yet begun but many of the services lost were now being provided at the island’s public health centre. The maternity ward was not affected in the fire.
Olsson told Guardian Australia she had contacted Australian immigration officials in Nauru on Friday for a briefing on whether pregnant women were being held in immigration detention but had yet to receive a reply.Olsson told Guardian Australia she had contacted Australian immigration officials in Nauru on Friday for a briefing on whether pregnant women were being held in immigration detention but had yet to receive a reply.
“It’d be nice to know what’s going on up there,” Olsson said.“It’d be nice to know what’s going on up there,” Olsson said.
Prof. Nicholas Talley, president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australia’s peak physician and paediatrician body, said the two pregnancies raised “serious health concerns”. He confirmed that if the woman did have diabetes she would be a high-risk pregnancy. Prof Nicholas Talley, president elect of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australia’s peak physician and paediatrician body, said the two pregnancies raised “serious health concerns”. He confirmed that if the woman did have diabetes she would be a high-risk pregnancy.
“In my view, and in the view of the college, the facilities [on Nauru] are inappropriate facilities to deal with cases like these,” he said.“In my view, and in the view of the college, the facilities [on Nauru] are inappropriate facilities to deal with cases like these,” he said.
Talley called on the immigration minister, Scott Morrison, “to provide evidence that patients aren’t being put at risk”, adding: “At the moment that level of evidence is not adequate.”Talley called on the immigration minister, Scott Morrison, “to provide evidence that patients aren’t being put at risk”, adding: “At the moment that level of evidence is not adequate.”
At the weekly Operation Sovereign Borders briefing last Friday, Morrison outlined details of Nauru’s main hospital. He said there were two delivery beds, six postnatal beds and a special baby unit and added the hospital could perform caesarean sections. He said midwives on the island, of which there were nine, and a paediatrician, “are probably some of the most experienced you’ve probably found working under those conditions”.At the weekly Operation Sovereign Borders briefing last Friday, Morrison outlined details of Nauru’s main hospital. He said there were two delivery beds, six postnatal beds and a special baby unit and added the hospital could perform caesarean sections. He said midwives on the island, of which there were nine, and a paediatrician, “are probably some of the most experienced you’ve probably found working under those conditions”.
Nauru has nearly double the infant mortality rate of Australia, with 8.36 deaths per 1,000 births compared with an Australian rate of 4.49.Nauru has nearly double the infant mortality rate of Australia, with 8.36 deaths per 1,000 births compared with an Australian rate of 4.49.
Guardian Australia contacted the minister’s office for confirmation that a second pregnant woman was being held in Nauru but did not receive a reply.Guardian Australia contacted the minister’s office for confirmation that a second pregnant woman was being held in Nauru but did not receive a reply.
• This article was amended on 16 October 2013. Nicholas Talley is the president elect of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, not the president.
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