Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Failure to Protect the People From Bird Flu Attacks
Editorial Continue to increase the bird flu victims in a
number of districts in Bali has become public concerns.
Especially the people who allegedly contracted the bird flu
received less treatment in district hospitals. The existence
of patients 'dipingpong' and have to queue at Sanglah Hospital
does not prove the seriousness of government in this area to
protect people from bird flu.
This proves the weak
coordination of officials in Bali in a variety of policy
development. During this oft-quoted statement of official
media, poultry pascapemusnahan is Bali is safe and free from
bird flu. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
bird flu caused by H5N1 virus since late 2003. Bi Bali has
killed dozens of people in nine counties and the city of
Denpasar.
Urgency that increasingly threaten the bird flu in
Bali demonstrated by the outbreak of the disease last few
weeks. In Bangli three people died in one family (two children
and their mothers). Then how funds for the prevention of this?
Officials in Bali chose silence, even in one district in Bali
does not have sufficient budget to address this issue. Despite
the official throws a few times Bali has been free from bird
flu, the reality is very different.
Bali is not ready to
protect the people from the threat of bird flu and other
diseases. We see the commitment of GOI tackle bird flu is
still lacking. Funds provided through the budget for the
socialization of bird flu almost non-existent. Hospitals that
can treat bird flu patients is also very minimal. What if a
foreign citizen (read: tourists) while on vacation this
illness? The world would be excited, tourist visits will drop.
That's why we remind you again government not to be lulled by
the word 'bird flu-free'. Similarly, a government must not
forget other factors, such as sociological factors, economic,
political, psychological and even people. We understand that
an outbreak of bird flu might be harmful to poultry and
humans.
However, this outbreak should not scare away the habit
of society to consume poultry meat and other animal meat.
Because, meat and poultry is the main source of animal
protein, which strongly supports the growth of public health.
For the farmer, life was too heavy for the small challenge.
Every day they routinely buy feed and transport the hoe to
clean the cage from the dirt. Now suddenly there was bird flu.
Whatever happens now is the obligation of the government to
protect its citizens from this dangerous disease, including
protecting the ranchers and local businessmen. Do not get
there, the individuals the government instead to play for the
benefit of himself. We certainly support the action seriously.
However, the seriousness it should be done to control the
disease in accordance with the rules which apply. Do not just
do that illness was not controlled, while the losses have
occurred. Case in Bangli and Jembrana is an example of how we
are weak in performing early detection of bird flu. Errors in
the detection and declared free and safe, very fatal
consequences. People can not believe the steps taken against
the government, even though the threat of the spread of bird
flu danger is still there in front of us. Weighing these
challenges should not be a pretext for the weaker and less
effective government efforts and community prevention and
combating it. Community and its citizens should be given the
information and understanding of serious and fatal if the bird
flu to spread between humans. All this must be done properly
and proportionately.
Balipost
Editorial Continue to increase the bird flu victims in a
number of districts in Bali has become public concerns.
Especially the people who allegedly contracted the bird flu
received less treatment in district hospitals. The existence
of patients 'dipingpong' and have to queue at Sanglah Hospital
does not prove the seriousness of government in this area to
protect people from bird flu.
This proves the weak
coordination of officials in Bali in a variety of policy
development. During this oft-quoted statement of official
media, poultry pascapemusnahan is Bali is safe and free from
bird flu. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
bird flu caused by H5N1 virus since late 2003. Bi Bali has
killed dozens of people in nine counties and the city of
Denpasar.
Urgency that increasingly threaten the bird flu in
Bali demonstrated by the outbreak of the disease last few
weeks. In Bangli three people died in one family (two children
and their mothers). Then how funds for the prevention of this?
Officials in Bali chose silence, even in one district in Bali
does not have sufficient budget to address this issue. Despite
the official throws a few times Bali has been free from bird
flu, the reality is very different.
Bali is not ready to
protect the people from the threat of bird flu and other
diseases. We see the commitment of GOI tackle bird flu is
still lacking. Funds provided through the budget for the
socialization of bird flu almost non-existent. Hospitals that
can treat bird flu patients is also very minimal. What if a
foreign citizen (read: tourists) while on vacation this
illness? The world would be excited, tourist visits will drop.
That's why we remind you again government not to be lulled by
the word 'bird flu-free'. Similarly, a government must not
forget other factors, such as sociological factors, economic,
political, psychological and even people. We understand that
an outbreak of bird flu might be harmful to poultry and
humans.
However, this outbreak should not scare away the habit
of society to consume poultry meat and other animal meat.
Because, meat and poultry is the main source of animal
protein, which strongly supports the growth of public health.
For the farmer, life was too heavy for the small challenge.
Every day they routinely buy feed and transport the hoe to
clean the cage from the dirt. Now suddenly there was bird flu.
Whatever happens now is the obligation of the government to
protect its citizens from this dangerous disease, including
protecting the ranchers and local businessmen. Do not get
there, the individuals the government instead to play for the
benefit of himself. We certainly support the action seriously.
However, the seriousness it should be done to control the
disease in accordance with the rules which apply. Do not just
do that illness was not controlled, while the losses have
occurred. Case in Bangli and Jembrana is an example of how we
are weak in performing early detection of bird flu. Errors in
the detection and declared free and safe, very fatal
consequences. People can not believe the steps taken against
the government, even though the threat of the spread of bird
flu danger is still there in front of us. Weighing these
challenges should not be a pretext for the weaker and less
effective government efforts and community prevention and
combating it. Community and its citizens should be given the
information and understanding of serious and fatal if the bird
flu to spread between humans. All this must be done properly
and proportionately.
Balipost