Lack of health access hinders treatment<\/p>\n
Marsiyah, 34, of Kelor village, sits beside the camp bed at the
\nSepatan public health center where her seven-year-old son Badrian
\nlay.<\/p>\n
A drip has been attached to his lithe body for the past five
\ndays to prevent him becoming dehydrated as a result of the
\ndiarrhea he is suffering.<\/p>\n
Doctors said Badrian could soon leave the public health center
\nas his condition was improving.<\/p>\n
"I was almost too late. I did not realize that my son's
\ndisease was so serious. Besides, it was also difficult to get
\ntransportation from home to the public health center. Ojek
\n(motorcycle taxi) is the only mode of transportation available,"
\nMarsiyah said.<\/p>\n
The village is indeed isolated, with no access for cars.<\/p>\n
This is similar to seven other villages most affected by the
\ndiarrhea outbreak in both Sepatan and Pakuhaji districts, The
\nJakarta Post observed on Friday.<\/p>\n
Endeh, 42, a resident of Rawa Boni village that is some three
\nkilometers from the Pakuhaji public health center, said the lack
\nof transportation had made it difficult for residents to get
\nimmediate medical help.<\/p>\n
"I had to walk while carrying my daughter from my house to the
\nhealth center because there was no transportation at all. The
\nroad is badly damaged," he said.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that his child might have got the disease from
\ncontaminated drinking water. They usually obtaining their
\ndrinking water from a two-meter deep well Endeh made behind his
\nsmall house.<\/p>\n
Indeed, road access is not the only obstacle, with public
\nawareness of health in agricultural villages being very
\ninadequate.<\/p>\n
Most residents consume water from shallow wells, locally known
\nas sumur tublek. The wells are between two and four meters deep.
\nThey often build bathrooms and toilets right next to these open
\nwells.<\/p>\n
Since the wells are not surrounded by walls, water used for
\nwashing and bathing can enter into the wells. -- JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lack-of-health-access-hinders-treatment-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}