Toddler, 2, who suffered horrific head injuries at an immigration centre is ‘denied medical help for seven hours’
- Two-year-old girl injured when chalkboard fell on her head in detention centre
- Tharunicaa and her family held in Melbourne detention centre for 16 months
- Her parents are Tamil refugees and have another daughter named Kopika
A two-year-old girl who suffered a head injury while in an Australian immigration detention centre was denied medical care for more than seven hours, advocates say.
Tharunicaa was hit on the head by a blackboard at Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation Centre at about 4pm on Thursday, said family friend and advocate Angela Fredericks.
‘Guards raised concerns but management at the centre refused to allow Tharunicaa to be taken to hospital for about five hours, even though she vomited soon after being struck on the head,’ Ms Fredericks told Daily Mail Australia.
A two-year-old girl who suffered a head injury while in an Australian immigration detention centre was denied medical care for more than seven hours, advocates say
Tharunicaa returned to the detention centre about 5.30am the next morning but her parents – Tamil refugees Priya and Nades – noticed she was still having trouble walking
The child was eventually rushed to hospital about 11.30pm after vomiting a second time.
Ms Fredericks said it is unclear why the child was not taken to hospital earlier.
Tharunicaa returned to the detention centre about 5.30am the next morning but her parents – Tamil refugees Priya and Nades – noticed she was still having trouble walking and with her coordination.
She was rushed to hospital again for scans on Friday afternoon.
‘Tharunicaa is back at MITA and is a little better this morning. She had taken some Panadol, is very tired and is still weak in one leg. Thank you for your concern,’ read an update posted to Twitter on Saturday morning.
The family, which also includes another daughter, four-year-old Kopika, is now waiting the results of the scans.
They were arrested in their home in Bileola, Queensland and placed into detention one year and four months ago.
Ms Fredericks explained that the family is in detention because Australia does not recognise Tamil people as in need of protection.
‘This was a normal, functional, thriving family who were paying taxes and needed in the community,’ she said.
Since living in detention the two children have suffered a range of health problems including vitamin deficiencies, decaying teeth, and behavioural issues.
A petition started by advocates asking for the family to be allowed to return to the rural Queensland community has been signed by more than 190,000 Australians.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Immigration for comment.
An update posted on Twitter on Saturday said the two-year-old is recovering