Policeman still on critical list, others OK

Leony Aurora , The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

The condition of a policeman injured in last week's bombing at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta has taken a turn for the worse, but there have been improvements in 12 other bombing victims being treated at hospitals in the capital.

Since Monday, Second Brig. Dicky Maulana, who is being treated at the Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC)'s Intensive Care Unit, has been on a respirator, said Maria Theresia Kosasih, the head of the medical services department at MMC, which is located near the embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Tuesday.

The Mobile Brigade member has bleeding in his lungs, which were pierced by bits of metal in the blast. Doctors have attached tubes to drain the excess fluid from his lungs, Theresia explained.

Maulana also suffered some internal damage in the explosion. A friend who visited Maulana in the hospital said he was able to communicate, though with great difficulty.

The policeman was among several officers who were guarding the embassy on Thursday when the bomb exploded, killing at least nine people and injuring more than 180 others.

Another officer, First Adj. Brig. Wahyu, remains in critical but stable condition at MMC. He suffered severe injuries to his leg in the blast.

"Doctors will do everything they can to save his leg," said Theresia.

Wahyu, who also suffered head injuries, has complained of headaches and was given a CAT scan.

Another policeman, Second Brig. Asep Wahyudi, suffered severe head injuries in the explosion and is still being treated at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta.

Family members of the officers have refused to talk to the press or allow photographers to take pictures of the men.

Meanwhile, a woman who was treated at MMC immediately after the bombing returned to the hospital on Monday for additional treatment for her arm.

Suwarni, a parking attendant at Plaza 89, which is located across the street from the embassy, went to MMC immediately after the blast with an injured arm and was released after receiving some stitches.

"It is difficult to move my left hand," Suwarni said on Monday.

Doctors said the wound was deeper than they had originally thought and that there was some tendon damage. A surgery was scheduled for Tuesday.

"They said it should be better within a week," said Suwarni. "I'm lucky that it was not a nerve."

Some patients are anxious to return home to their loved ones. Rizah, a cleaning woman at Wisma Bina Karsa, located three buildings from the embassy, said she longed to see her son, Imam Ahmad.

The 27-year-old received 16 stitches to four wounds on her forehead and cheek. She said that she had headaches and was waiting for the result of her CAT scan.

"All I want is to be healthy again, to go home. I want to walk around with my child," said Rizah. "He'll turn six on September 26."