Heart-wrenching Tambora fire victim must continue regular dialysis after home destroyed

JAKARTA — A 65-year-old woman who was a victim of a fire in Krendang, Tambora, West Jakarta, must continue regular dialysis after her home was completely destroyed.

Sofi (33), the daughter of the elderly woman, recounted her family’s sorrow upon seeing the house they had lived in for years burn down.

Sofi explained that her mother has a history of kidney failure with heart complications, requiring her to undergo dialysis twice a week.

“It’s been six months of dialysis, but it seems to have worsened now. Kidney failure, now affecting the heart. Complications, dialysis every Wednesday and Saturday,” Sofi said.

Amid the emergency aftermath of the fire, Sofi was worried her mother’s treatment schedule would be disrupted as documents and medical supplies were also burned.

According to Sofi, her mother’s condition deteriorated after being devastated by the sight of their home engulfed in flames.

“I was feeling down. Some documents were partially saved, but medicines, like tubing and other supplies, were gone. She has dialysis again tomorrow, Saturday, and I’m confused,” she said.

However, Sofi’s panic eased slightly after confirming the government has provided assistance for her mother’s care.

She expressed concern that her mother’s condition could worsen while staying in a temporary shelter with limited facilities.

Sofi hopes the government continues to monitor the situation of fire survivors in Krendang, especially vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

“I’m worried that staying in the shelter won’t improve things but make them worse, sleeping in a musalla. But hopefully things get better, and we continue to receive care from the emergency post here; officials just checked everything,” she said.

As of Friday afternoon, Sofi acknowledged that urgent needs for the elderly and toddlers in the shelter remain unmet.

“Food and drink are okay, but nappies and milk are still missing. There are toddlers, my children aged four and three-and-a-half; their milk has run out,” Sofi lamented.