An Auckland man says he endured a painful wait at Middlemore Hospital after his fingers were crushed in a workplace incident, with no immediate medical attention for over an hour.
Hamangoda Gedara Gayan Madusanka Amaranayake, 34, was rushed to Middlemore Hospital on 9 September after his right hand was severely injured. Amaranayake claimed he was made to stand in a queue, bleeding heavily, and was not administered first aid for nearly 90 minutes.
“One of my fingers was hanging off. All I could see was blood and flesh, and a long queue of people in front of me,” he said, describing the excruciating pain and fear of losing his life as he waited.
Amaranayake's wife, Dushani De Silva, arrived at the hospital shortly after and was "shocked and horrified" to find her husband waiting in agony. Despite his efforts to hide his injury from her, she could see the extent of his pain.
The mechanic underwent surgery later that evening. Doctors amputated his index finger, and after further evaluation, decided to remove his ring finger as well. His wife now assists him with daily tasks as he struggles with the aftermath of his injuries.
The couple, who moved to New Zealand from Sri Lanka in April 2023, had sold their property in Sri Lanka and were in the process of applying for residency. Amaranayake’s injury has left their future uncertain, with De Silva saying, “We came to New Zealand with a lot of dreams. Now, I don’t know what to do.”
Krishan Gallage, founder of the SLNZ helpline, expressed concern over the incident, calling for more support for migrants navigating the healthcare system. "Migrants often face language barriers and unfamiliar processes. While we appreciate the work of medical staff, improvements can be made," he said.
In response, a Health New Zealand spokesperson stated that the care provided was reviewed by clinicians and found to be appropriate. They added that patients in emergency departments are prioritised based on clinical need rather than order of arrival.
Despite the challenges, Amaranayake’s wife has launched a Givealittle page to help the family cope with the aftermath of the injury.
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