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Concerns raised after 59 toddlers die in Asmat
Health care: A regency health agency official immunizes a child in Asmat regency, Papua, as part of efforts to deal with a children’s health emergency linked to a measles outbreak and malnutrition
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span class="inline inline-center">Health care: A regency health agency official immunizes a child in Asmat regency, Papua, as part of efforts to deal with a children’s health emergency linked to a measles outbreak and malnutrition.(Courtesy of Asmat regency’s public relations office)
Measles and malnutrition cases have raised red flags in Asmat regency in Papua after dozens of toddlers died within a span of four months in the southern part of the province, known for its scenic landscapes and traditional handicrafts.
The regency administration has declared an “emergency occurrence” (KLB) in response. Some 59 toddlers have died from measles from September 2017 to Jan. 15, the head of Papua Health Agency, Aloisius Giay, said on Monday.
His office had issued warnings following reports of low immunization rates in the regency in 2017. The health agency reported only a 17.3 percent immunization rate in the regency. This is in stark contrast to 2014, which saw 100 percent coverage.
“The measles situation in Asmat is aggravated by malnutrition and slow management,” Aloisius said on Monday in Jayapura.
The measles outbreak hit Papua in 2017 and several areas such as Jayapura, Mimika, Biak, Boven Digul and Puncak recorded cases of measles but with no fatalities reported.
Asmat regency, spanning 31,983 square kilometers, has limited land access especially in areas far from Agats district, the capital city of the regency.
“We can only use airplanes or water transportation to get to Agats from Timika, Merauke and Jayapura. While to reach the districts in the regency, we can only use long boats or speed boats as all the districts are situated along river banks,” the health agency’s secretary, Silwanus Sumule, said.
Since reports of the outbreak in Asmat emerged, the local health agency has launched an immunization drive in the seven districts in the regency most hit by the outbreak namely Swator, Kolf Brasa, Fayit, Aswi, Pulau Tiga, Jetsy and Siret. A special team formed by the Asmat regency administration has treated 471 children suffering from measles. The team has also vaccinated 3,831 children in 34 kampungs in the districts as well as handing out additional food supplies to mitigate malnutrition,
Local religious figure Agats Bishop Mgr. Aloysius Murwito said that apart from the low immunization coverage, residents living in villages in the regency did not consume healthy food. They were not aware of the benefits of eating fish despite their villages being situated near water.
“The situation is different from residents living in areas located near the regency’s center where residents have better livelihoods and greater awareness of their health,” Aloysius said.
The Indonesian Military (TNI) is also taking part in boosting aid as the Cendrawasih Military Command has dispatched 53 doctors and paramedics along with medical equipment and staple foods needed by the residents, Cendrawasih spokesman Col. M. Aidi said.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said he had instructed his subordinates to swiftly manage the health emergency in Asmat by sending personnel as well as aid to the regency. However, difficult terrain, high costs and long distances have hampered the distribution.
“We sent a team and also food supplies last week and since September but the terrain there is very difficult,” he said on Sunday.
The President, who frequently makes official visits to the country’s easternmost province, urged local administrations to take an active role in monitoring the health condition of residents. That way, should any outbreak occur, rapid mitigation measures could be taken immediately.
Rich in natural resources, the restive province was granted special autonomy by the central government in 2001 allowing both Papua and West Papua provinces to run their own administrations. Both provinces have also received special autonomy funds amounting to almost Rp 60 trillion (US$4.5 billion).
Still, the two provinces continue to have the lowest Human Development Indices.
Yan Warinussy, director at the Manokwari Research, Study and Legal Aid Development Institute (LP3BH), lambasted the management of the funds by local administrations.
“This should be a warning for the Papua governor and the Asmat regent to conduct a total evaluation of the regional health units in managing the funds and also to provide maximum service for native Papuans living in the area,” he said.
