Maluku needs Rp 1.5b to fight rabies

AMBON, Maluku: Maluku Provincial Health Office needs a staggering Rp 1.473 billion in funds (US$172,941) next year, to overcome the rabies epidemic plaguing Ambon municipality and Seram Island in the province, an official said on Saturday.

Ristianto Sugiono, the head of Maluku Provincial Health Office, said that the funds would be used to campaign against rabies (Rp 55 million), rabies vaccines (Rp 1.2 billion), miscellaneous materials (Rp 40 million), training for medical staff (Rp 75 million), meals for regular meetings held by 80 officials at the health office (Rp 4 million), rabies case investigation (Rp 39 million) and technical assistance (Rp 60 million).

Ristianto has proposed that the Maluku provincial administration set aside funds to overcome the epidemic, but a response has not yet been given.

Rabies first broke out in Maluku in April this year and the epidemic has already claimed 19 lives. The first death was reported by Lateri community health center in Ambon.

Data provided by the Maluku Provincial Health Office shows that, up until Sept. 31, 1,097 people had been bitten by dogs in Maluku province this year. -- Antara