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)