Fed: A hunger striker could die at Nauru - doctor

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2003
Fed: A hunger striker could die at Nauru - doctor

CANBERRA, Dec 24 AAP - A doctor treating hunger strikers on Nauru has warned an asylum
seeker could die because of mounting pressure on the island's hospital.

Hospital medical services head Dr Kieran Keke accused the Australian government of
being reluctant to provide the medical support needed as the number of hunger strikers
in immigration detention on Nauru swelled to 40.

"It's been a little bit concerning to me that apart from the assistance that IOM (International
Organisation for Migration) is giving us directly, Australia hasn't been very forthcoming
in providing assistance to Nauru health department in providing care for asylum seekers,
especially if there are more to join (the hunger strike)," Dr Keke told ABC radio.

"There has been a degree of reluctance by the Australian government to offer the assistance
we need.

"There is a prospect that someone could die, especially if resources in the health
department and IOM are stretched beyond capacity.

"To date, I think we have been coping very well with the number that are involved.

"But there is concern that if our resources are stretched further, then some may slip
through the loop and there is a risk that someone could die."

Hospital staff were being recalled on their days off to cope with the crisis.

"So that places a lot of strain on our already overworked and underpaid group of dedicated
staff. I don't know how long that can last," Dr Keke said.

Most of the hunger strikers were young, fit men who were experiencing problems with dehydration.

"Some of them are in pain simply from not eating and being dehydrated," Dr Keke said.

"We are offering them pain killers; some are refusing to take pain killers; some are
refusing to take other medication," he said.

AAP rmg/sp

KEYWORD: DETENTION DOCTOR

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