13 Thousands Of Children In Asmat Vaccinated

JAKARTA, Feb 1 (Antara) - Health Minister Nila Moeloek said as many as 13,300 children in Asmat District, Papua Province have been vaccinated as an effort to control the epidemic of measles. According to Moeloek, not all sub-districts in Asmat District get the vaccination due to difficult terrain. She revealed that 71 people died due to malnutrition and measles outbreaks. Based on data received from Asmat Humanitarian Task Force, until Tuesday (Jan 30), there were still 26 inpatients in Asmat in which 19 people of them were treated in Asmat Regional Hospital, and seven patients were treated in the Hall of Indonesia Protestant Church of Asmat due to malnutrition. The 19 people treated in the hospital comprised five inpatients that were diagnosed with measles, 10 people that suffered from malnutrition and diarrhea, and four people who got fever. Earlier, a total of 47 people had been treated in the church in which 40 people of them have returned home. Minister of Social Affairs Idrus Marham said the problem solving in Asmat District must be integrated and cross-sectoral. A number of ministries should work together to solve the problems of infrastructure, environment, education, health and others in the area. The problem handling should be based on cultural and regional characteristics. "The involvement of Indonesian National Military and Police relates to humanitarian operation. All people who help solve the Asmat's problems are heroes because we work together," he said.