Scavengers complain over health clinic's closure

Wahyuana and Leony Aurora, Bekasi/Jakarta

Scavengers living at the Bantar Gebang dump in Bekasi, claim that their children are suffering as the free health clinic there has been closed for two months, while one of the women who established it, Sri "Rossi" Rossiati, insists that it remains open.

"My two children have rashes and influenza but I cannot take them to the doctor. I don't have the money," complained Yatin, a mother of two. Other scavengers said their children were suffering from respiratory problems, typhoid and diarrheal diseases.

Yanti, also a resident, said the clinic used to open twice a week, "It gave away free milk, and monitored the children's health, but it has not opened for a long time now."

Chairman of the Bantar Gebang scavengers association Abdurahman Djambor, said currently there were around 5,000 scavengers in the area, with an average income of Rp 20,000 (US$2.13) each per day.

"When the clinic was open, it really helped the locals. We sort through garbage everyday, which is a health risk in itself," he said.

The Kartini clinic was established by Rossi and Sri "Rian" Irianingsih -- who are known as the ibu kembar (twin sisters) -- a year ago, and was officiated by the Minister of Health Achmad Suyudi. The clinic has five prefabricated plastic cabins comprising general clinics, a mother-and-child clinic, a consultation room for dental treatment and a health workers' course room. Six resident doctors and three volunteer medical staff usually work there.

On average, the clinic handles about 140 patients. Most suffer from skin diseases, respiratory problems and flu. The clinic also provides contraception.

Researches have isolated E-coli and Salmonella thyposa bacteria, which cause diarrheal diseases, at the dump, and seepage has polluted the groundwater there.

Rossi refuted the report, saying that the clinic was operating as usual. She told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that the clinic had treated 50 children suffering upper respiratory infections and skin rashes that day alone.

"The number of patients has increased recently, possible because it is the dry season now, so there is more dust," she said, adding that the clinic also distributes soap to the children.

The clinic opens three times a week during working hours. It was temporarily closed following a dispute between the Jakarta and Bekasi administrations early this year, Rossi said.

The 104-hectare Bantar Gebang dump has accommodated 6,000 tons of Jakarta's daily waste since 1986. Local residents have repeatedly demanded the closure of the dump due to the environmental damage it causes.

Jakarta is also preparing an alternative dump in Jonggol, Bogor regency, using German bale press technology. The new dump can accommodate 2,000 tons of waste daily. However, the dump is yet to open due to protests from locals, who fear they would suffer health problems and their environment would be polluted.