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)