Leprosy high in Irian, Maluku

WAMENA, Irian Jaya: A noted doctor said here on Thursday that seven out of every 10,000 people in Maluku and six out of every 10,000 people in Irian Jaya were suffering from leprosy.

"In Indonesia, an average of 2.3 per 10,000 people have leprosy. That means Maluku and Irian Jaya have a high incidence of the disease," said Hudion Boutmy, the head representative of NSL, a Dutch organization focusing on the eradication of leprosy.

He said that this year his organization has provided Maluku with funds of Rp 1 billion and Irian Jaya with Rp 400 million to fight the disease. Antara quoted him as saying that the funds were intended to provide free treatment for leprosy sufferers and the purchase of a six-month supply of medication to treat tuberculosis.

The World Health Organization has also distributed medicines through community health centers in both provinces.

The number of leprosy sufferers in Indonesia is eventually expected to decline to one person per 10,000 people, Boutmy said. (01)