Four die from breathing problems

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)