Doctor says nine injured in clashes getting better
Doctor says nine injured in clashes getting better
JAKARTA (JP): The conditions of nine people seriously injured
in clashes between the military and antigovernment protesters on
Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 are all improving, according to a senior
doctor from Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central
Jakarta, where all nine are being treated.
One, a six-year-old girl, is still in the Intensive Care Unit
(ICU) so that doctors can monitor her progress carefully,
director of the state-run hospital, Dr. Hermansyur Kertosastro
said on Thursday.
"The other eight have been transferred to normal wards," he
said.
The nine people were among hundreds admitted to the hospital
in Salemba, Central Jakarta, after armed police and soldiers
fired into crowds of protesters during the Nov. 13 incident at
Semanggi Cloverleaf and the riots of the following day.
One week after the unrest, only 13 people were still receiving
treatment, and now only nine remain.
The remaining nine were identified as Paul Sabarno, Imelda
Manurung, Adriel and Tupak Anwari, who are all students; and
onlookers Ayu Ratnasari, Sutomo, Pendi Suhatman, Parno Sugiarto
and Pudjiono.
Ayu, who is a pupil of Kebon Manggis elementary school in East
Jakarta, was the youngest victim of the unrest.
She was shot in her left temple while sitting on her uncle's
shoulders to get better view of a commotion between students and
civilian guards on Jl. Jatinegara in East Jakarta on Nov. 14.
Doctors have said the bullet inflicted damage to the six-year-
old's brain.
"The bullet has damaged part of her brain. We're afraid she
won't be able to move her left hand and foot," Hermansyur said.
The bullet was removed just a few hours after she was rushed
to the hospital, however doctors were forced to leave several
fragments of the bullet in the girl's brain because it was too
dangerous to remove them.
"We're afraid that any attempt to remove the shrapnel will
cause further damage to some parts of her brain," Hermansyur
said.
The team of doctors have nevertheless been encouraged by Ayu's
strong will to live.
"She's a brave girl and has a strong desire to recover," he
said.
Hermansyur was speaking while accompanying State Minister for
Women's Affairs Tutty Alawiyah on an impromptu tour of the
hospital. (emf)