Flood-related diseases kill 67

JAKARTA: A total of 67 people have died due flood-related diseases after the huge floods that hit the capital recently.

Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi said on Tuesday that 26,629 people fell ill and 67 died. Twenty-six died due to diarrhea, 17 due to leptospirosis, 12 of respiratory problems and 12 of dengue fever, Antara reported.

Flood victims were entitled to free medical treatment and hospitalization.

The minister handed over Rp 507.7 million to reimburse 22 of the 48 hospitals in the city for their services. The remaining 26 hospitals had not asked for reimbursement.

Another Rp 186.7 million was also disbursed for 527 volunteers who assisted the flood victims who were ill.

The floods that hit Jakarta for about one month, from late January, affected about 300,000 people in the city's five municipalities.--JP