Elderly woman in Tambora forced to continue dialysis after home destroyed in fire
A 65-year-old elderly woman became a victim of a fire on Jalan Krendang Barat in Tambora, West Jakarta. Despite her home being completely destroyed, she must continue dialysis treatment amid the limited facilities at the evacuation shelter.
The victim’s daughter, Sofi, 33, said her mother suffers from kidney and heart complications and requires hemodialysis twice a week. “My mother’s house was completely destroyed. She has been on dialysis for six months due to kidney and heart complications. Her schedule is every Wednesday and Saturday,” Sofi said at the Musala Al-Hikmah evacuation shelter.
Her mother’s health deteriorated rapidly due to shock after seeing her home destroyed. She was also distraught as important documents and medications were consumed by the fire.
The Health Department acted quickly to secure emergency healthcare facilities to ensure the victim’s dialysis appointment on Saturday, 30 May, was not disrupted. “Fortunately, an ambulance has been arranged from the shelter to collect my mother tomorrow for dialysis at Sumber Waras Hospital,” Sofi said.
She urged the government to continue providing special attention to vulnerable groups in shelters, such as the elderly and children, given the inadequate conditions for health recovery. Urgent needs like baby formula and disposable diapers are still required by evacuees.
Tambora District Health Centre officer Dr Sendy confirmed the agency is implementing a ‘door-to-door’ system to ensure all evacuees receive proper medical attention. “We visit evacuees directly, check complaints, treat wounds, and provide medication. If further treatment is needed, we refer them to hospitals immediately,” he said.
Regarding elderly patients requiring dialysis, he confirmed Tambora Health Centre has coordinated with relevant parties to ensure treatment schedules are uninterrupted. “If referral letters are still available, we will assist in mobilising patients using the District Crisis and Emergency Centre (PK3D) ambulance. We ensure patients are stable with good vital signs before evacuation,” he added.
The Jakarta Provincial Government, through the Social Affairs Department and local Health Centres, is working to meet logistical needs, provide healthcare services, and re-register residents’ destroyed identity documents.