Belgium sends doctors to help fight measles

Belgium sends doctors to help fight measles

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Three physicians from Belgium are
currently in West Sumba to help deal with an outbreak of measles
that has infected hundreds of local children there.

The three doctors, sent from Medecine Sans Frontieres (MSF),
arrived last Thursday in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), West Sumba,
regent Julius Poteleba said on Monday in the provincial capital
of Kupang.

He said the Belgium medical team will recruit up to 40 local
staff to help them carry out their humanitarian mission in the
regency.

"The recruits are nursing school graduates who will assist the
team's task in the field," Julius added.

Since August, more than 800 children have been affected by
measles and malnutrition in at least 26 villages across West
Sumba.

Julius said the spread of measles in the regency was due to
the fact that vaccination program had not been carried out for
the last 10 years. --Antara