Hospitals told to aid dengue patients

JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor urged hospitals here yesterday not to reject or fail to give priority to those with dengue fever during the current outbreak.

Soeparmo, head of Commission E for welfare affairs, said yesterday that refusing to provide medical treatment would only worsen a sufferer's condition.

He said the latest data from the City Health Office revealed that this year's death toll was 36 as of yesterday, up from 31 on Friday.

"Hospitals must be aware that it (the fever) is a true disaster for all of us. It's not as minor as scabies or ringworm."

Soeparmo made the remarks after there was an indication that hospitals might reject dengue fever sufferers for various reasons, including a shortage of beds.

"A private hospital in East Jakarta has been reported to us because it recently refused to treat a dengue fever sufferer who came for medication at night," he said without naming the hospital.

Fortunately, the person was admitted at another hospital in a nearby area, he added.

Soeparmo reiterated that dengue fever sufferers could not go without first aid medication.

"If they really can not take the sufferers because there is no room or medicine available, they should still give them an infusion and quickly transfer the patients to other hospitals," he said.

"Please, have a heart. Don't add to the burden of people who already have problems because of this severe economic condition."

Soeparmo said that the health office predicted the dengue fever disaster would reach its peak in May this year based on its five-yearly cycle.

He said people should take preventive measure, including thorough fumigation.

Conducting a mass fumigation, however, is difficult because there is not enough equipment.

"Only a limited number of districts have the spraying equipment," he said. "Besides, fumigation requires quite a lot of money but it is only effective for a maximum of 10 days."

According to East Jakarta Mayor Soedarsono, fumigation for one house would cost about Rp 25,000.

In Bogor, head of the City Health Agency Aisjah Wan Granie said six had died from dengue fever since January and 199 others were infected.

"Most of the dead were aged under 15," she said.

Aisjah said those infected with the disease were scattered across 40 villages, with Kebon Pedes, Lawang Gintung, Kedung Halang, Kedung Waringin, Kedung Badak and Ciparingi among the most seriously affected. (cst/ind/24)