Experts appointed by a court said today that a doctor had admitted that she administered 5mg Valium to an asthmatic illegal immigrant, despite fearing for his condition, saying she had done so on advice from her superior.
The female doctors, aged 28 and 31 and whose names cannot be published by court order, were working at St Luke's Hospital on the night of February 6, 2005 when Eritrean national Sagid Iisraquay Tegualde died a few hours after being administered the tranquilliser. It was given to him because he was being violent and refusing treatment.
Court experts Dr Mario Scerri and Prof Joseph Caciatolo said the doctor had initially considered giving the migrant only half the dose, but then opted for the full dose as instructed by the senior doctor.
The migrant had been taken to hospital after feeling ill while at Hal Far detention centre.
See also
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091114/local/doctors-deny-causing-immigrants-death