Inquest into the Death of Ramaiah MAHENTHIRAN

50y · Male·coronary atherosclerosis

A 50-year-old Tamil Sri Lankan man in immigration detention at Curtin IDC died from severe coronary atherosclerosis. He was assessed using a temporary "fast track" health screening process due to overcrowding at Christmas Island, rather than the standard comprehensive health induction assessment. The assessment included chest X-ray, blood work, and clinical screening, all of which appeared normal. He was transferred to mainland Australia after being cleared as "fit to travel" on 20 July 2013. He presented with chest pain shortly after arrival on 21 July and despite immediate medical care including CPR, adrenaline, and defibrillation, could not be resuscitated. The coroner found his medical supervision, treatment and care were of proper standard and that standard screening would likely not have identified his underlying severe coronary atherosclerosis. No deficiency in care was identified.