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