University doctors join relief efforts in West Timor<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Diseases caused by undernourishment and a lack
\nof sanitary conditions have swept through East Timor's refugee
\ncamps in West Timor, a media report says.<\/p>\n
Data released by Perdhaki, a nonprofit organization founded by
\nthe Atambua diocese to assist East Timorese refugees with health
\ncare, revealed that 2,811 refugees have respiratory infections,
\n1,896 have malaria and 1,023 have gastric diseases, the news
\nagency Antara reported.<\/p>\n
Sari Kendar, a Unicef representative in Atambua who cooperates
\nwith Perdhaki, said the world body was paying special attention
\nto deadly malaria. She said Unicef had not expected malaria to
\nstrike.<\/p>\n
"The number of medical doctors are inadequate and the
\nincreasing incidences of malaria were unmonitored," she said
\nwhile addressing a meeting with 12 doctors and 24 nurses to be
\nstationed in Belu and in regencies of north central Timor on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
The medical personnel are under contract to serve until May.<\/p>\n
"Please keep records on the prevalence of diseases affecting
\nmothers and children so that we can monitor development in the
\nfuture," she said.<\/p>\n
West Timor is still accommodating an estimated 110,000 East
\nTimorese refugees, mostly in areas bordering East Timor. They
\nfled their homes in the wake of riots following the announcement
\nof the Aug. 30 ballot. Tens of thousands have been repatriated
\nunder UN supervision.<\/p>\n
Perdhaki chief Alexander Kobesi reported that the absence of
\nmedical doctors over the past month in Atambua had aggravated the
\nhealth problems of refugees.<\/p>\n
Unicef and Perdhaki have established 28 health posts in Belu
\nand regencies in north central Timor.<\/p>\n
"Over the past two months, the posts were handled by only one
\ndoctor and we are happy that more medical personnel have
\narrived," he said.<\/p>\n
The 12 doctors are from major universities in Java, such as
\nthe Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Atma Jaya University in
\nJakarta and Diponegoro University in Semarang. The 24 nurses are
\nfrom West Timor.<\/p>\n
They are free to stay with local residents near the health
\nposts, in nearby churches or monasteries as long as they are
\navailable 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n
The doctors and nurses also campaign for health for the
\nrefugees. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/university-doctors-join-relief-efforts-in-west-timor-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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