Commercialization of fumigation angers governor<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso was infuriated yesterday over
\nreports that city-sponsored mosquito fumigation had been
\ncommercialized in some districts, jeopardizing the entire
\nprogram.<\/p>\n
The governor said fumigation was free and he threatened to
\ntake punitive action against health officials and workers from
\nprivate firms who asked for money.<\/p>\n
The commercialization sparked fears that the fumigation
\nprogram -- aimed at curbing dengue fever in the capital -- would
\nend in failure because many residents refused to participate
\neither because they did not have the money or knew that it was a
\nfree service.<\/p>\n
\"I will order my staff to crack down on health workers who go
\ndoor to door offering fumigation for money.\"<\/p>\n
The program is part of the city's massive campaign to contain
\nthe dengue fever outbreak, which has claimed at least 43 lives
\nover the past four month.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said the private sector might be involved in the
\ncampaign but all costs would be shouldered by the administration.<\/p>\n
In some places, health workers in charge of fumigation have
\nreportedly asked residents for between Rp 25,000 and Rp 30,000.<\/p>\n
Nani, a resident of Kresek Indah housing complex in Duri
\nKosambi subdistrict, West Jakarta, said somebody knocked on her
\ndoor Wednesday and asked Rp 25,000 for the service.<\/p>\n
\"I refused the offer right away because I doubt the quality of
\nthe chemicals,\" she said. \"Besides, I heard the service is free.\"<\/p>\n
She said she knew many of her neighbors also refused the
\noffer.<\/p>\n
An employee of the Jakarta School of Theology in Menteng,
\nCentral Jakarta, said two officials from a local public health
\ncenter asked for Rp 30,000 to fumigate the school.<\/p>\n
There were similar incidents in Pejaten Timur subdistrict,
\nSouth Jakarta, where each house was asked to pay Rp 500 for
\nfumigation.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said he was waiting for complete reports on the
\nservice's commercialization before taking any punitive action.<\/p>\n
Data from the City Health Agency revealed that the dengue
\nfever outbreak this year had claimed 43 lives as of yesterday and
\nanother 4,148 have been hospitalized. Antara reported that in
\nBogor, dengue fever had killed at least 13 people over the same
\nperiod.<\/p>\n
Commenting on reports that some hospitals could not
\naccommodate all dengue fever patients and were turning sufferers
\naway, Sutiyoso said it was unacceptable for hospitals to refuse
\npatients.<\/p>\n
\"Any facilities should be used, (hospitals) can erect tents if
\nneed be. All patients should be given first aid.\"<\/p>\n
Spokeswoman for the City Health Office Maryani said officials
\nhad been told they were prohibited from asking for money for
\nfumigation.<\/p>\n
However, she admitted, it was possible some individuals had
\nengaged in the practice.<\/p>\n
She said the city administration cooperated with several
\nprivate companies, which have assigned 100 workers to the field.<\/p>\n
\"They are under our supervision, including control of the
\nquality of insecticide they use.\"<\/p>\n
Maryani said employees of participating private companies wore
\nuniforms bearing the administration's logo.<\/p>\n
\"We would appreciate it if people reported the illegal
\n(requests for) payment to us.\"<\/p>\n
Antara reported that the dean of the Tarumanegara School of
\nMedicine, Samsi Jacobalis, urged the city administration to
\nsubsidize hospitals' procurement of intravenous fluid.<\/p>\n
Jacobalis said medicines were getting more expensive and a
\npatient might need between 10 and 30 bottles of intravenous fluid
\nduring a single treatment. (ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/commercialization-of-fumigation-angers-governor-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}