Press Review for April 2007
(Baca Versi Bahasa Indonesia)
April was begun with widely spread of Dengue epidemic in Jakarta province. As data on April 4th 2007, the number of dengue patients in Tarakan Hospital reached 100 patients /day. In Pasar Rebo Hospital the number of patient has reached 87, way over hospitals capacity limit therefore some of them must used plastic bed. In Fatmawati Hospital, 152 dengue patients recorded. To simplify treatment process, Fatmawati Hospital used colour ID system, red code means the patient require special treatment, yellow code means regular treatment, and green code means the patient is almost recovered and ready to sent back home. On Monday (9/4) the Governor of Jakarta Province, Sutiyoso declared extraordinary occurrence of dengue in Jakarta. Based on data on late March 2007, the number of dengue patient in Jakarta province has reached 4.408 patients, way over the limit of extraordinary occurrence which is 3.107 patients. As tackling efforts, focused fogging will be conducted on 258 kelurahans covering 13.164 hectares. Still on dengue, in Brebes, for the forst 16 weeks of 2007, 198 dengue cases have been found, 15 of them died. In Sukabumi City the number of patient has reached 343 patients. While from Bandung City, since the beginning of the year until April 27th 2007, 2.879 persons have been infected by dengue. In Bekasi, for the last 4 month, 11 dengue patients have died.
For Avian Influenza or also known by bird flu, according to data on Public Communication Centre of Health Department, up to date the number of infected patients in Indonesia has reached 92 persons, 72 of them died. In Central Java, a patient, S (29) died on Thursday (5/4) were confirmed to be infected by AI virus. One thousand and four hundred ducks were culled in Gilimanuk, Bali. These ducks and fowls were sent illegally. In Bandung, one AI suspect patient died (16/4). A one year old baby on high fever after having numbers of chicken died instantly in his environment, have been brought to Sulianti Saroso Hospital.
Other disease threaten Indonesia on April are Leukaemia which still become a major threat for children, anthrax killed 8 people in East Nusa Tenggara, extraordinary occurrence of Chikunguya in Ponorogo following high increase in number victim to reach 293 in 2007 only, malaise killed 4 person on West Nusa Tenggara with 49.6% of total population in Indonesia are in risk as they are living in risk area, tuberculosis frighten pregnant woman while government finds it difficult to fund the activity to control the spread of tuberculosis since Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaise has stopped since last March.
In Serang, for the first 4 months of the year, at least 8 children have died due to malnourished. Still on malnutrition issue, an international organization, Oxfam GB collaborates with local NGO and community has pioneered Farm and Integrated Nutrition Field School in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The objective is to reduce the number of malnutrition on child under five which now has reached 32 – 50% in East Nusa Tenggara. Poverty has also haunt East Nusa Tenggara, causing thousands of school-age children were forced to drop out. Drought on East Nusa Tenggara caused 37.235 people in 5 sub districts now in food crisis level. Food crisis also happened in 4 regencies in South Sulawesi.
Disaster still occurs. Flood in Arso, Papua inundated hundreds of houses. In Belu, East Nusa Tenggara flood is still in 1 meter height by Tuesday (3/4). Dayeuhkolot - Baleendah Bandung were also flooded which suspected to be flash flood. Flash flood in Grobogan has carried away 4 houses, destroyed 7 houses, and damaged 78 houses. The biggest river in Indonesia, Bengawan Solo, was overflowed, flooding thousands of houses surrounding, 49 villages in 19 sub district in Bojonegoro were flooded.
Storm hits Yogyakarta and hits tens of houses of earthquake victims Saturday afternoon (7/4). Storm also hits Bogor and Panimbang Sub district, Pandeglang Regency. Tens of houses were severely damaged and 1 person was badly injured as the roof has crashed him. Still in Pandeglang, thunder hits on Tuesday (10/4) afternoon and killed 3 person instantly, injured 4 other person, and shocked 2 other. In Deli Serdang, 86 houses, 2 religious centres, and 1 tower of PT Telkom were damaged, hit by storm.
Landslide on 3 villages in Cibinong Sub district and 2 villages in Cikadu Sub district has forced 2.200 families displaced. In Tarbateng Village, Boyolali, Central Java, torrential rain and landslide has killed one person. Other 50 families in East Java were isolated because the only road access was buried by landslide. The disconnection also happened in Flores path, connecting Ende and Maumere City.
Positive news heard as the new tsunami detector equipment made by Technology Application Body are being installed in Hindia Ocean, 160 mile from Merak Port on Wednesday (11/4). Meteorology and Geophysics Board will take role as the integrator on detected data analysis. Meanwhile, Vice President assigns Coordination Minister of Social Welfare, Aburizal Bakrie to prepare the establishment of National Board of Disaster Management as mentioned on Disaster Management Bill (9/4).
In North Jakarta, land and vegetation corrosion on coastal areas has become worse. Mangrove forests are decreasing. Organic and heavy metal waste on Bangka Belitung islands has caused 15 rivers no longer save to consume. Fire happened on high density area on Kelurahan Penjaringan. No casualties reported, although several people were injured.
