500 Bekasi scavengers receive free medical aid

BEKASI (JP): About 500 of the 6,000 scavengers living around Bantar Gebang garbage dump in Bekasi, east of here, were given free medical services by the government on Thursday.

With coupons in their hands, the scavengers -- mostly women and children -- packed the medical post to get treatment for ailments consisting mainly of skin diseases, diarrhea and lung infections.

"I want this to be cured," said 40-year-old Sutiryem, pointing to a biscuit-sized red circle on her one-year-old grandson's head.

She held a hook used to rummage through piles of garbage in her hand and appeared eager to get back to the dump as soon as the ordeal of queuing was over.

Ruslan, who is in his fifties, said he decided to go to the free clinic to seek a cure for the cramps from which he frequently suffers after struggling through mountains of garbage in search of "valuable items" for around five hours every day.

He was told by a doctor to drink lots of clean water.

The event, which was opened by Minister of Health Farid A. Moeloek, was held to mark the 34th National Health Day. Free rice, noodles and milk were handed out along with seeds which the scavengers were told to plant and grow their own food.

At least 67 medical experts including a pediatrician, an internist, two dentists and 30 nurses were involved in the event. (ylt)