Tsunami-hit Aceh free of epidemics, declares WHO

Tsunami-hit Aceh free of epidemics, declares WHO

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that health
conditions in the disaster area of Aceh were improving, and that
no major epidemics were likely, but all parties involved in
medical relief should remain alert to possible outbreaks.

"Thanks to the collaboration between the government of
Indonesia, medical volunteers and military personnel...health
care has reached out to the people," said WHO representative for
Indonesia Georg Peterson at the United Nations Media Center for
Tsunami Relief here.

A WHO special envoy on tsunami relief for Indonesia, Eigil
Sorensen, said that some cases of diarrhea, measles, malaria and
tetanus had occurred in Aceh in the wake of the Dec. 26 tsunami.
However, the quick response of medical personnel, both Indonesian
and foreign, in handling the diseases had helped prevent rapid
spread of the diseases.

Peterson said that in order to prevent a possible outbreak,
WHO was setting up a robust surveillance system to increase the
response capacity of medical personnel. The organization has
deployed a team of eight coordinators to operate the system,
which would rely on data collected from the field.

Nevertheless, he warned that providing purified water,
maintaining healthy refugee camps and cleaning up the debris of
devastated buildings should be carried out as soon as possible.
Puddles covered by debris could be ideal breeding areas for
mosquitoes that might spread malaria and dengue.

He also said that spraying disinfectant in several areas would
help prevent the spread of disease.

"Previously, Aceh didn't have malaria. It has come out of
debris and rubbish. So it is important to do proper prevention,"
said Peterson, who has deployed 50 persons working in Aceh.

Sorensen said in order to support prevention measures, WHO was
setting up laboratories, which were vital to helping doctors
analyze and diagnose diseases accurately. There are four
laboratories set up at general and emergency hospitals, as well
as the tents of International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) in
Banda Aceh and Meulaboh.

Peterson also stressed that his organization would help
Indonesian health authorities and local health services resume
their operations.

"The media has failed to highlight the enormous help of the
Indonesian medics and volunteers. They have done a good job.
Therefore, WHO believes that the Health Ministry and medical
volunteers will be able to maintain the health situation in Aceh
after the NGOs have gone away," said Peterson, who has appealed
to UN headquarters for US$30 million in additional funds for
relief work in tsunami-devastated areas in Asia.

The UN agency has planned to work in Aceh for a year, or until
the health infrastructure has been sufficiently improved.

"We are not an NGO, who comes and goes in a flash. Our
organization will support the Indonesian health system, until it
can resume functioning. So, the period could be extended," said
Sorensen. (006)