Somali man dies of gastric flu at Ħal Far Detention Centre

The man had started feeling sick while he was in an open recreational area adjacent to the Hermes Block at the Ħal Far Detention Centre. He had not reported feeling unwell whilst a duty doctor was present earlier in the day.

Upon arrival at the Health Centre, the man once again felt sick and was seen by a doctor on duty at the Health Centre and certified as suffering from gastroenteritis (gastric flu) and diarrhoea, given medicinal treatment and discharged back to the Detention Centre.

As he was alighting from the vehicle after arriving at the Detention Centre the man again felt sick and lost consciousness. An MMDNA nurse who was on duty at the time was immediately called to assist the patient who was found to have no pulse. Unfortunately, the man was later certified dead by a duty doctor from the Paola Health Centre.

The police were informed of the incident. Duty Magistrate Francesco Depasquale is conducting an inquiry and has appointed Dr Mario Scerri as medical expert to assist him.