Oblivious to the flu<\/p>\n
Indonesians come across as being a laid back lot. Their warm
\nsmiles and patient manner seem incongruous to the harsh realities
\nthey face.<\/p>\n
This mildness makes them lackadaisical, so much so that many
\nare oblivious to fears that an outbreak here could put them at
\nthe center of one of the worst multi-country pandemics in half a
\ncentury.<\/p>\n
This country has been warned. And again, earlier this week, a
\nvisiting United Nations team on the bird flu sent the strongest
\nmessage yet: This country is simply not taking the necessary
\nprecautions to combat a major outbreak of avian influenza.<\/p>\n
Of all the countries in the world, Indonesia should be the one
\nmost aware of the acute dangers lying in wait. Of the 63 people
\nkilled by the H5N1 virus in Southeast Asia since 2003, five have
\nbeen in Indonesia. At least nine confirmed cases of human
\ninfection have been reported here.<\/p>\n
The comments of the head of the UN team visiting Indonesia,
\nPeter Roeder, confirm the extent of this nation's capricious
\napproach toward the virus.<\/p>\n
\"It's not taken seriously enough by the people of this
\ncountry,\" he said.<\/p>\n
His remarks reflect the extent of cognizance most Indonesians
\nhave of bird flu.<\/p>\n
Most are unaware, disinterested or content to brush off the
\npotential dangers of a human influenza pandemic.<\/p>\n
Many still perceive it in the context of just another seasonal
\ndisease that will quietly pass. The attitude of some reminds us
\nof the early days of HIV\/AIDS, when people simply believed they
\ncould never be infected. Meanwhile, those who are informed are
\nunsure what to do.<\/p>\n
It took many years of hard work, concerted efforts and intense
\ncampaigning before public awareness on HIV\/AIDS prevention
\nwas achieved. A similar crusade is now needed to educate, inform
\nand collectively combat avian influenza.<\/p>\n
If it does come, at the very least the collective psyche of
\nthis nation would be prepared with the necessary technical
\nprecautions and social conditioning. As it is, some of those who
\nare infected, along with their immediate family, are being
\ntreated like lepers in the dark ages -- with prejudice and exile
\n-- by an ignorant public.<\/p>\n
It is however also important to note the second part of
\nRoeder's comments: \"They (the public) are not aware of how
\nserious the situation is\".<\/p>\n
Inattentiveness toward the dangers of bird flu can, for the
\nmost part, be blamed on the government's own intermittent and
\npartial effort to cope with the virus' presence here.<\/p>\n
Just as migratory birds circle the world according to the
\nseasons, likewise the government's campaign moves in stops and
\nstarts.<\/p>\n
If the public could be made aware of, through intensive
\nadvertising, about who their candidates and their running mate's
\nwere in the presidential campaigns, then a similar campaign can
\nbe conducted to educate the public on the dangers of bird flu,
\nbefore it is too late.<\/p>\n
Governments and institutions around the world are gripped with
\nthis problem, but here in Jakarta we have not, we dare to assume,
\nspent a comparative amount on public information about bird flu
\nas the advertising billions in the presidential campaigns of
\n2004.<\/p>\n
One example of how narrow this government's vision is in
\naverting the potential epidemic is the absence of a compensation
\nstrategy should mass culling be required. Such actions have been
\nconsidered and talked about for months, but action plans have not
\nbeen put in place. It is even questionable whether a detailed
\ncomprehensive one actually exists to deter further outbreaks.<\/p>\n
Countries like the United States, for example, have clearly
\nearmarked funds and drafted contingency plans to avert the
\npossibility of an outbreak.<\/p>\n
Jakarta's response has been the classic \"lack of resources\" or
\n\"no funds available\".<\/p>\n
Our answer to that is: \"Get some!\"<\/p>\n
Resources can be committed when there is a political will to
\ndo so. Funding and assistance will flow if the government clearly
\ndisplays coherent action to contain the spread of the disease.<\/p>\n
Bird flu is becoming a global threat. A successful prevention
\ncampaign in a country like Indonesia is in the interests of the
\nworld. We are confident that help will be forthcoming from
\ninternational donors if we start by helping ourselves.<\/p>\n
They say there is no such thing as being \"too late\" to begin
\nan endeavor in life. Unfortunately with bird flu that adage does
\nnot apply. Let us begin before it is really too late.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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