REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) has deployed 53 medical personnel to handle the measles epidemic in Asmat District of Papua Province.
"The personnel deployed under the TNI Task Force for the extraordinary event have departed aboard a Hercules A-1326 helicopter from the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase to Papua," Head of the TNI Information Center Mayor General M. Sabrar Fadhilah stated in a press release received here on Monday.
Fadhilah noted that President Joko Widodo had urged TNI Commander Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto to treat people suffering from measles in Asmat District.
Also read: Tjahjo comments on measles disease outbreak in Asmat tribe
The TNI commander has established a health task force to assist the Health Ministry to fight the measles outbreak.
The team comprises medical personnel from the TNI and Army health center as well as the Navy and Air Force health service.
The joint operation is being carried out to offer humanitarian assistance in the health sector.
"The task force will strengthen the medical team of the Cendrawasih Regional Military Command centered in Timika City," Fadhilah stated.
The team comprises medical specialists, paramedic officers, and medicine specialists. The team has also brought along medical tools and vaccines for diphtheria and measles.
According to Fadhilah, the TNI has also brought along 11,100 instant food packages to be distributed to the people of Asmat.
He noted that the total count of those exposed to measles had reached 467 children.
Meanwhile, 487 children had been vaccinated, and 1,052 others had received medical treatment.
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