Explain cause of outbreak to Bateq community, says Jakoa D-G
KOTA BARU: The parties who conducted studies and took water samples at the Bateq Orang Asli village in Kuala Koh, Gua Musang, need to go down to the ground and explain to the people the cause of the disease that led to 15 deaths.
Professor Dr Juli Edo, the director-general of the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa), said the community was not satisfied with the report that raw water from the rivers in the area was not contaminated.
He said the people need to be given a satisfactory explanation by agencies involved such as the Department of Environment and Chemistry Department so that the issue did not drag on.
“This is important as many of those involved were emotionally affected .
“We (Jakoa) will be meeting the Orang Asli community in Kuala Koh, to offer them encouragement,” he said.
On Thursday, the Bateq Orang Asli tribe in Kampung Kuala Koh voiced their doubt over the Health Ministry’s statement that the bacterial infection was not caused by contaminated river water.
They remained convinced that the infection was due to the use of water from the hills and river that was believed to contain chemicals.
Village chief Muhammad Pokok said this was because the manganese ore mine was located only 100m from the river and water catchment area.
The Health Ministry said it would work with the Education Ministry and Jakoa to implement a food programme, to ensure the Orang Asli communities, especially the children, get sufficient nutrients, according to Bernama.
Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said apart from low immunisation rate, the lack of nutrients was among the factors contributing to the spread of measles among the Bateq tribe in Kuala Koh.
“This put individuals at increased risk of being infected by the disease. As such, implementation of a food programme (especially in school), will help overcome the problem,” he said after opening a Good Academic Practice Sharing Day at SK Pos Raya yesterday.
Dr Lee said the lack of nutrients complicated health issues for measles patients, especially children aged 5 and below, the elderly, and patients suffering from other diseases.
“We will implement the food programme to ensure the Orang Asli community, including those aged between 1 and 5 , get food supplements to address nutrient deficiency.”
Dr Lee said the ministry was studying the best mechanism to improve the level of immunisation in the country.
He said the Orang Asli’s nomadic lifestyle, especially the Bateq tribe, made it difficult for health officers to provide immunisation jabs for children.