Tuberculosis on Seribu Islands

Tuberculosis on Seribu Islands

JAKARTA (JP): A preliminary survey has revealed that many residents in the Seribu islands may suffer from tuberculosis due to poor sanitation and nutrition, both of which are exacerbated by smoking.

Head of Karya Bhakti, a health foundation under the ruling party Golkar, Subagyo Partodiardjo told reporters yesterday that 75 of 100 Panggang island residents who were examined have the disease.

He added that there is a strong possibility that all 3,588 that make up the islands' population may be carrying the disease.

Subagyo urged the city administration to provide the island with portable X-ray machines and a small laboratory and generator set help detect the disease before it spreads further.

Subagyo said that the survey, held in cooperation with the city administration and the Persahabatan hospital, was part of their program to help the island people obtain free medical treatment. (yns)