Tsunami-hit Mentawai in need of medicine, health workers

The Jakarta Post, Thu, 01/20/2011

More than two months after the tsunami struck Mentawai Islands, many victims are in desperate need of medicine and health workers, a humanitarian worker says.

Health Project manager of Mitra Peduli Mentawai Dr. Louisa A. Langi said that at least 134 people in evacuation camps on Siberut Island suffered from various illnesses such as diarrhea, fever and acute respiratory problems, kompas.com reported Thursday.

Many people were evacuated to Siberut Island as the area was relatively not affected by the devastating tsunami, which swept parts of Sipora, Pagai Utara and Pagai Selatan islands, last Oct. 25.

The lack of medicine was alarming, Louisa said, adding that even paracetamol was not available.

She called upon the government to pay more attention to the evacuees, especially those suffering from illnesses.

Head of the provincial disaster management agency Hermensyah said Wednesday that the budget was allocated only for victims who were directly affected by the disaster. As for the medicine shortage, Hermensyah said the problem could be settled with continuing funds from third parties.