The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

Maldivian boy with health complications faces deportation from Australia

Raif Amyl Jalyl
22 April 2019, MVT 10:01
Kayban Jamshaad with his mother. PHOTO/ABC NEWS
Raif Amyl Jalyl
22 April 2019, MVT 10:01

Kayban Jamshaad, a two-year-old Maldivian boy born with health complications and undergoing medical care in Australia, is facing possible deportation from the country due to its immigration laws barring visa from those with severe medical conditions.

The toddler has a brain injury that occurred when he was born at St John of God Banbury Hospital in Busselton, Western Australia, and severe haemophilia - a bleeding disorder which stops blood clotting.

According to Australian media ABC, he requires 24/7 medical care to manage visual impairment, seizure disorder, developmental delays and spastic quadriplegia - paralysis of all four limbs - stemming from his brain injury, and weekly medication for his haemophilia.

ABC news reports that “under Australia's immigration laws, applicants can be rejected if they have any condition which could result in significant healthcare costs or prejudice the access of Australian citizens and residents to health services".

It is under those criteria that ABC reports that Australia’s Department of Home Affairs is barring Kayban visa and citizenship status in the country. The department estimated the boy’s health costs would be USD 59,000 yearly, thereby doubting the capability of Kayban’s family to cover the cost.

However, according to ABC, the family covered the cost for almost three years till date, without any access to public health support.

Moreover, medical specialists stated that Maldives is not equipped to manage Kayban’s complex health needs.

ABC stated that his rehabilitation physician wrote a letter to the department warning that forcing Kayban back to Maldives would result in the boy suffering a premature death. However, ABC reports that the department dismissed the warnings and ruled that, “there was not enough documentary evidence, or ‘compelling’ and ‘compassionate’ circumstances, to grant Kayban a health waiver that would allow him to stay”.

While Kayban was not granted visa, his family attained the permit. His mother is employed as a social worker in Australia.

The case to appeal the department's ruling on Kayban’s visa status is being appealed at Australia’s Administrative Appeal Tribunal. However, ABC reported that the legal process could take months.

Share this story

Related Stories

Discuss

MORE ON NEWS