61 Children Dead from Measles, Malnutrition

AGATS, KOMPAS — The death toll from outbreaks of measles and malnutrition over the last four months in Asmat district, Papua, has reached 61 children. Asmat regency will carry out mass immunization for all villages in the district, which will be implemented starting on Monday. The activities follow treatment and vaccinations carried out in the most severely affected areas.

The latest victim was Theresia Bewer, who spent a week at a hospital in Agats, the capital of Asmat, due to malnutrition. Theresia died last Sunday.

The head of public health service of the health office at Asmat district, Dr. Steven Langi, said according to data collected from four integrated teams for measles and malnutrition, 59 of the victims were from three districts, including Fayit, Aswi and Pulau Tiga.

In Fayit and Aswi districts, which consist of 16 villages, 22 children under the age of five died since October 2017, while in Pulau Tiga, the team found 37 children had died in Kampung Kappi, Kampung Nakai, Kampung As and Kampung Atat villages. The two other victims died at Agats Hospital, including Theresa.

Asmat regency\'s integrated team was deployed from Tuesday to Saturday in seven districts, namely: Swator, Aswi, Fayit, Pulau Tiga, Kolf Braza, Jetsy and Siret districts.

Steven said, for five days, the integrated team had treated 261 children for cases of measles and provided food for 10 malnourished children. "The team also administered measles vaccinations for 3,831 children in 34 villages in seven districts," he said.

According to Steven, the government in Asmat district has set up five teams to provide immunizations for children under the age of five in 224 villages in Asmat to further prevent outbreaks of measles in the future.

Steven expressed his appreciation for the Surabaya city government and various parties that provided assistance for Asmat children in the form of additional food and medicines in the district of Timika. The health office of the Asmat district and the Agus diocese will distribute the assistance.

Assistance

Accorinding to information, Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini sent aid on Saturday in the form of medicine, vitamins and food such as milk, vegetable oil and baby biscuits to speed up the recovery of the children affected by the disease.

Separately, Marthen Bericema, who was found in Koat at Atat village, Pulau Tiga district, said residents had not been receiving medical services for the last seven months.

One of Marthen’s children suffers from malnutrition and measles due to the lack of health services at the integrated health services posts (Posyandu). "The health workers in our village have been moved to Nakai village in the center of Pulau Tiga district," said Marthen. It takes three hours to reach Nakai by motorboat and costs Rp 6 million (US$449).

The head of the regional financial and asset management board of Asmat, Frans Sinurat, said it had increased the income of general and specialist doctors assigned in the district. Professional salary for a specialist and general doctors, for example, reached Rp 40 million and Rp 10 million per month, respectively, plus a number of other benefits.

"In the last few years, 10 specialist doctors and eight general practitioners have left Asmat on the grounds of wanting to be closer to their families. In fact, we have provided education fees for some doctors," said Frans.

The government of Asmat district has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Health Ministry for the provision of medical personnel in Asmat. "We hope that the Health Ministry will be able to send medical personnel to Asmat this year," said Frans.

Synergy

Central and local governments need to coordinate and support each other to ensure people in remote areas have access to good health services. Not only the health minister, but also the Asmat regent is responsible for supporting doctors and medical officers in community health centers (Puskesmas).

"The regent should understand the condition of the region. The regent can help the doctors to find the victims and reduce the cases of malnutrition and measles," said Lenos Kogoyo, the presidential staff for Papua, in Jakarta on Sunday.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo stated that although it was difficult to reach Asmat regency due to its harsh terrain, there was no reason for local and central governments not to pay attention to the health and condition of the people.

"The terrain at Asmat is extraordinarily difficult. For example, to reach Ndugai, it took four days on foot from Wamena. At Asmat it was also the same — the journey is quite long and difficult. The fare is also expensive. However, it is not an excuse to let people face difficulties and various illnesses and malnutrition," said the President on Sunday in Senayan, after inaugurating the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium and watching the Indonesia-Iceland friendly soccer match.

President Jokowi has asked the local government to intervene and the Health Ministry’s team to come and send the aid. "There will be an emergency hospital. We expect better and more coordinated management. Of course the best handling is expected from the regions as they are closer," he said.

The chairman of the Association of Indonesian Public Health Experts, Ridwan Thaha, said the key health problems in Papua were the lack of health workers. The adequacy and ability of health workers in the field is very important. "How could the nutrition of toddlers be good if most of the Puskesmas in the areas do not have nutritional staff," he said.

Another factor that needs to be improved is the commitment of local governments to health. Health and education should be a priority in the regions.

(FLO/INA/HAR/ETA/ADH)