The Jakarta Post

Karangasem gets Rp 1 billion for gastroenteritis victims

The Jakarta Post , Denpasar | Mon, 04/07/2008 11:17 AM

Karangasem regency has received Rp 1 billion (US$110,000) from the Bali administration to deal with the ongoing gastroenteritis outbreak, an official says.

"(Bali Governor Dewa Made Beratha) gave the money directly to Karangasem Regent I Wayan Geredeg when the governor visited the hospital where the gastroenteritis patients were treated," Bali administration spokesman I Nyoman Puasha Aryana said Saturday as quoted by Antara.

The outbreak has claimed five lives and spread to 13 villages in the regency. Up to Saturday, 600 villagers had been admitted to local hospitals and health community centers after displaying symptoms of gastroenteritis.

"The money will be used mainly for funding the treatment of the outbreak's victims while the drugs will be provided by the local health agency," Aryana added.

In the eastern part of the island, Karangasem is one of the poorest regions in Bali, with a large number of its residents lacking access to proper hygiene and sanitation.

The outbreak started March 20 and initially hit Selat and Bebandem subdistricts. The local health facilities in those areas were overwhelmed by the number of patients, and the local health authority established emergency command posts to assist in the treatment.

Karangasem Regent I Wayan Geredeg declared the disease an "extraordinary occurrence" on March 20 based on the speed of its spreading, which meant the government would pay all medical expenses relating to the outbreak.

Geredeg disbursed Rp 2 billion (US$217,592) from the regency's disaster tactical fund to treat patients.

The health authority identified E. coli bacteria as the cause of the outbreak. Laboratory tests conducted on samples taken from the villagers' water sources and cubang (rain reservoirs) tested positive for the bacteria.

"The governor asked the local villagers to stop consuming water taken from the cubang. The local administration will provide clean water to the villagers," Aryana said.

Comments (0) | Post comment

A | A | A |