Thousands of Evacuees Ill
Thursday, 08 February, 2007 | 14:07 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Thousands of flood victims have started to suffer from various diseases as water in the capital city recedes.

Hospitals and health posts near flood locations have admitted many patients.

Up until yesterday, based on Jakarta Health Service's data, the number of ill flood victims was 27,381.

They were suffering from diseases including itching, diarrhea and dengue fever.

However, two days ago, the total of ill flood victims was only 12,800.

Wibowo Sukijat, Head of the Jakarta Health Service, said that the data was gathered from the 224 health posts in all Jakarta areas that accepted flood victims.

“Some of the people had to be referred to hospitals,” said Wibowo.

Some of flood victims crowded Koja General Regional Hospital, North Jakarta.

This state-owned hospital soon lacked beds and rooms, so, as a result, some patients were placed on the hospital's verandahs.

Since two days ago, the total of flood victims who were inpatients in Koja Hospital was 84.

In detail, 34 are suffering from diarrhea and 50 from dengue fever.

Out of this total, half were children under five years old.

However, Koja Hospital has not run out of medicines, intravenous liquids and medical advisors.

“We received medical advisors from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital,” said Caroline Kawinda, the hospital's spokesperson.

In Tangerang, many flood victims are suffering from mental illnesses, including stress and depression.

The Tangerang Health Service has distributed around 1,700 tranquilizers such as Captorel.

“Those who are suffering from depression are mostly adults,” said Ivone, Head of Health Public Service of Tangerang Health Service.

Deputy Head of Jakarta Health Service, Salimar Salim, has also asked residents to be alert of post-flood diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya and leptospirosis (disease due to rat's urine).

To face this extraordinary situation, the Jakarta Health Service has increased the number of referral hospitals to 80 from the previous 17.

“Medication and treatment costs are free,” said Salimar.

FERRY FIRMANSYAH | YUDHA SETIAWAN | JONIANSYAH | ZAKY ALMUBAROK