Policeman still on critical list, others OK

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."