TB sufferers lack access to drugs<\/p>\n
Multa Fidrus, Tangerang<\/p>\n
At least 19 tuberculosis (TB) patients in Bayur village, Periuk
\ndistrict, said they had not received proper medical treatment
\nbecause they couldn't afford to travel to the public health
\ncenter in the district.<\/p>\n
The patients called for the Tangerang municipality
\nadministration to build a subdistrict-level public health center
\nnear their village.<\/p>\n
\"Our village is very isolated. The only transportation
\navailable are ojek (motorcycle taxis). But we have to spend Rp
\n10,000 (US$1.1) for each trip,\" Asmah, 42, who has suffered TB
\nfor six years, told The Jakarta Post recently.<\/p>\n
Due to the high cost of transportation, Asmah has not
\nparticipated in the intensive treatment program that requires her
\nto go to the health center twice a week and take medicine for a
\nsix-month period.<\/p>\n
Another TB patient, Muhyi, 45, said health workers recognized
\ntheir plight and frequently visited TB patients at home. \"They
\nunderstand that we can't afford to go to the health center.\"<\/p>\n
Muhyi said health workers often brought patients boiled eggs
\nfor extra protein and gave them glass roof tiles to ensure their
\nhouses got enough sunlight. The Post observed many houses in the
\nvillage were dark and had poor air circulation.<\/p>\n
District secretary Mulyanto said since the Bayur village was
\nlocated on the borders of the Tangerang regency and the Tangerang
\nmunicipality, either administration could have provided an
\nambulance to transport TB patients to the health center twice a
\nweek.<\/p>\n
He praised health workers' efforts to visit the patients for
\ncheckups and bring vitamins to them.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tb-sufferers-lack-access-to-drugs-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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