BSMI to build hospital in Banda Aceh

Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Red Crescent (BSMI) is planning to spend Rp 1 billion (about US$111,100) to build a hospital in Banda Aceh to replace a makeshift hospital in Lambaro, Aceh Besar.

Head of the BSMI medical team Basuki Supartono said the new hospital would be equipped with the latest equipment to conduct laboratory tests, surgery and other medical procedures.

"We're planning to build it in a shop-house in Lamlaga village near Banda Aceh. It lies in a safe distance from the tsunami zone, five kilometers from the beach," announced Basuki recently.

He acknowledged that the makeshift hospital, erected under a large tent, had sufficient equipment for conducting laboratory tests and surgery. However, he said it would be better for BSMI doctors to move the patients into a roofed building.

"We have already spent Rp 1 billion on the makeshift hospital and we will spend another Rp 1 billion. We currently have around Rp 2.3 billion from donations," Basuki said.

Basuki hoped that the new hospital, which will have around 50 hospital beds, will start functioning soon after the shop-house has been renovated.

"The existing hospital can only accommodate around 20 patients, but we can treat around 200 people every day," he added.

Besides the hospital, Basuki said that BSMI also operated around 20 mobile clinics that go to isolated areas such as Meulaboh, Bireun and Sigli.

Most of the patients are suffering from pneumonia, diarrhea and wounds but they all are at risk of contracting tetanus since their wounds are not sterile.

"We've seen many cases of patients who have gaping, blackened wounds. According to medical standards, we should amputate limbs with those characteristics to prevent the spread of the disease. However, we're trying not to do that and instead clean the wounds whenever they come to our hospital and clinics for treatment," Basuki said.

He did not have the exact number of patients being treated at BSMI hospital and clinics.

"We have only recorded one tetanus case so far," Basuki said.

Meanwhile, BSMI psychiatrist Fuadi Yatim said that most of the tsunami survivors were suffering from depression although in its mildest form.

"It's common in this situation. People suffer from depression when they lose loved ones. They have lost their families, jobs, money, belongings and houses in the disaster," Fuadi, who had just returned from Banda Aceh, told The Jakarta Post.

He explained that they all suffered the symptoms such as insomnia, excessive fear of water and trauma.

However, he added that most of the Acehnese had a strong belief in God, therefore, it had counterbalanced the depression and should help them rebuild their shattered lives.

"Apart from mild depression, we also found several survivors suffering from deep depression, however, the number of cases were small," Fuadi said.

Fuadi added that BSMI had sent one psychologist and one cleric to Banda Aceh. He added that he would return to Banda Aceh in two weeks.

BSMI sent 77 medical staffers to Aceh after the disaster on Dec. 26. Apart from providing medical treatment, the organization also helps authorities and military with evacuations and channels donations to Aceh.