BRI gives Rp 200m to fight dengue

JAKARTA: PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) has handed over Rp 200 million (US$23,809) to five referral hospitals for dengue fever patients.

BRI corporate secretary Yadie Supriatno said on Wednesday that the hospitals involved were the Tarakan Hospital, Budhi Asih Hospital, Tugu Hospital, Sumber Waras Hospital and Fatmawati Hospital. Hospitals have been called on to prioritize dengue fever patients since the latest outbreak first hit the country early this year.

Employees of the bank's Greater Jakarta branches also donated blood as part of a joint effort with the Indonesian Red Cross.

City health agency records show that around 8,300 people have fallen ill from dengue fever since January with 62 of these having died as a result. Yadie said BRI was concerned about the current lack of capacity in accommodating dengue patients and hoped the donation would help hospitals provide better treatment for those who succumb to the disease. -- Antara