REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TIMIKA -- The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) has deployed two helicopters to transport 800 kilograms of medicines and two doctors to Asmat District, Papua Province, affected by the measles epidemic and malnutrition.
Bolco HS 7148 and Bell HA-5178 helicopters departed from the Mozes Kilangin Airport, Timika Sub-district, Mimika District, to Agats, the capital of Asmat District, on Wednesday morning, Lt Col. Windarto, commander of the 1719 Mimika military district command, remarked here, Wednesday.
On Wednesday evening, 14 paramedics of the TNI Headquarters will arrive in Agats aboard a boat, which will also carry medicines and 50 beds to treat the sick children in Asmat.
On the previous day, the TNI had also sent medicines to Asmat, which is not easy to access due to the difficult terrain.
A total of 61 children have died of measles and malnutrition, while over hundred others are still being treated at the Asmat Regional Public Hospital.
Meanwhile, Senior Commissioner A.M. Kamal, spokesman of the Papua Provincial Police, noted that the Papua Police, TNI, and the Papua medical team have set up an integrated task force to tackle the measles outbreak and cases of malnutrition in Asmat District, Papua Province.
"The task force has departed for Asmat to distribute food and medicines," Kamal revealed.
The task force, comprising 30 personnel, has channeled humanitarian assistance provided by various companies, including state oil and gas company Pertamina, state bank BRI, and Bank Papua
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