Eye disease rife in Kalimantan

Eye disease rife in Kalimantan

BANJARMASIN, Kalimantan: Navy doctors have reported a high number of eye diseases among the residents of Tabunganem district, Barito Kuala regency, presumably caused by bathing in the contaminated Barito River.

Lt. Col. Dr. Beny Mintara, the deputy commander of a unit of the Navy currently performing community health service in the area, told Antara yesterday that out 1,300 Tabunganem residents who visited the unit's clinic, 274 suffer from various eye diseases. Among them, 110 suffer from cataracts and need operations.

Mintara said that many people also suffer from dermatitis or other skin diseases, and respiratory problems.

The doctor explained that the respiratory problems are caused by the humidity in the swampy area. (swe)