PMI Secretary General AM Fachir here on Saturday explained that the logistics, comprising 100 hygiene kit packages, 100 baby kit packages, and 5,000 masks, were delivered from the PMI Regional Warehouse in Gresik, East Java, to the Sumenep Chapter of PMI on Saturday.
“The logistical aid is prioritized for families whose children have been infected and are currently undergoing treatment for measles to ease the burden of meeting basic needs and support the family’s resilience during the recovery period,” he explained.
He urged the Sumenep Chapter of PMI to optimize the role of volunteers and the Teen Red Cross (PMR) in supporting the government in handling the outbreak through campaigns and the dissemination of information on immunization and preventive measures, among other things.
"The goal is to encourage people to get their children immunized, to help them understand the measles symptoms, and to have them immediately access health services," he remarked.
Currently, PMI continues to monitor the situation and ensure assistance can reach all the affected residents.
Fachir emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Sumenep Chapter of PMI and the local health office, the regional government, community leaders, and religious leaders, especially considering the geographical challenges in Sumenep, which consists of many islands.
As of Sunday (August 24), the Health Office of Sumenep District has recorded 2,139 suspected cases of measles, 205 cases confirmed positive, and 17 fatalities.
All the 27 sub-districts in the district have reported case findings, with Kota Sumenep, Kalianget, and Batang-Batang recording the largest number of suspected cases, each exceeding 150.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin earlier on Thursday stated that the government is targeting around 70 thousand children in Sumenep to get immunized against measles in two weeks.
The government has readied 11 thousand vaccine vials, and on average, each one can be used to vaccinate eight people.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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