72 BATEQ FOLK HOUSED IN SHELTER
They will stay for 21 days before being allowed to go home, says welfare officer
ATOTAL of 72 people from 22 Bateq tribe families infected with measles have been
housed at the temporary relief centre in Taman Etnobotani here as of Wednesday.
District Social Welfare Department officer Hizani Ibrahim said they were housed at the relief centre after receiving treatment at Gua Musang Hospital (HGM), and they were not allowed to return to Kampung Kuala Koh.
He said the number was expected to rise to more than 100 in the near future as some were still receiving treatment at HGM and Kuala Krai Hospital (HKK).
Those placed at the relief centre had been quarantined and were being monitored to ensure full recovery before they were allowed to return home.
“Since the centre was opened on June 18, the number of Orang Asli members placed there has been increasing daily, and we are given the responsibility to safeguard their well-being,” Hizani said yesterday.
The measles outbreak in Kampung Kuala Koh early last month had resulted in 15 deaths in the Orang Asli Bateq tribe while another 112 were receiving treatment at the HGM, HKK, Chiku Health Clinic 3 and the Aring 1 Health Clinic.
Hizani said the Bateq tribe members would be housed up to 21 days in the relief centre.
Non-relevant parties would not be allowed to visit the community to prevent the spread of measles.
“We also receive a lot of contributions, such as food and healthcare supplies from various parties, including individuals who sympathise with the Orang Asli,” he said.