Four die from breathing problems

PURBALINGGA, Central Java: Some 200 residents in two villages in the Karangmoncol district are suffering from severe respiratory problems which recently claimed the lives of four infants.

Karangmoncol district chief Imam Subiakto said residents of two villages, Tunjung Mulih and Sirau, were suffering from wide scale respiratory problems. The problem is that the two villages are extremely remote. Sirau village can only be reached after a two hour walk.

"It's difficult for villagers to seek medical assistance because of their location, while on the other hand medics at the local community health centers can't get to them," Imam said on Thursday.

He said the four infants who died all came from Sirau village.

"They died because we couldn't get medical aid to them soon enough," Imam pointed out, adding that the situation was complicated as the infants were also suffering the measles.

Efforts have been made by opening emergency health centers near the villages so residents can get free medical attention. (45)