“Of the transmissible diseases we are closely monitoring, measles is our main concern,” Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said on Wednesday during a press conference with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
He explained that measles has one of the highest transmission rates among infectious diseases. Therefore, the ministry has launched a targeted immunization program to protect children in disaster-affected areas. The risk of measles transmission has been identified in five districts, he added.
In addition, the ministry has detected the presence of other communicable diseases among evacuees, including tuberculosis and leptospirosis.
Monitoring at evacuation shelters shows that the most common illnesses among affected residents are acute respiratory infections, skin diseases, and diarrhea. The ministry has provided appropriate treatment and medication to address these conditions.
On the same occasion, the minister said that around 4,000 health volunteers have been deployed to disaster-affected areas in Aceh to ensure the continuity of healthcare services.
Beyond addressing physical health issues, the volunteers are also providing mental health support, he said.
He highlighted initiatives by some volunteers who engage children through play and storytelling to help ease trauma and improve their psychological well-being.
“Each deployment batch includes around 30 to 35 clinical psychologists who tell stories, entertain, and make the children laugh, because not all problems are physical,” he said.
Meanwhile, the head of BNPB’s Center for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication, Abdul Muhari, said the ministry’s swift deployment of personnel and resources reflects the government’s commitment to supporting affected communities.
“We want to accelerate recovery efforts in all aspects so that our brothers and sisters across the three affected provinces can recover as soon as possible,” Muhari said.
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Reporter: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Primayanti
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