Medical services on dengue

Medical services on dengue

TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang General Hospital is offering free
medical services to dengue fever victims who cannot afford to pay
for treatment, a hospital official said.

Syartil Arfan, a hospital director, said that the provision
had been made in consideration of the fact that medical treatment
for the disease was very expensive.

He said three out of 47 patients treated for the disease at
the hospital late last month had died.

"Free medical services will only be given to poor patients who
have letters confirming their status issued by their village
heads," he said.

The number of people suffering from the disease could possibly
be much higher than is currently thought because relatives have
been reluctant to send victims to hospital due to the high cost
of medicines, he said.

Hospital data showed that 44 sufferers had been treated at the
hospital since March 21, 14 of whom were from Cengkareng
district, 11 from Kalideres, 14 from Tangerang mayoralty and five
from Tangerang regency.

Syartil explained that the rising number of dengue sufferers
was caused by poor sanitation, especially during the rainy
season. (41/hhr)