Bird Flu Management in Tangerang: America Donates Rp 14 Billion
Wednesday, 02 April, 2008 | 17:40 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Tangerang: The United States of America contributed US$ 1.5 billion or approximately Rp 14 billion for the bird flu management program in Tangerang . “The funds will help the program for three years,” said head of the Health Department for Tangerang, Hani Herianto, yesterday.

The US Ambassador for Indonesia, Cameron R. Hume, will hand over the donation directly today in Tangerang.

Hani did not mention how the donation will be given. She said the program will involve the Agriculture and Breeding Department, the Social Welfare Department, and Education Department. “They will be coordinated by a secretary,” she said.

Lili Indrawati, head of the Tangerang Health Department said that Hume will see how the community interacts with poultry. The ambassador will visit the poultry markets in Gerendeng village, Karawaci, and also Sepatan subdistrict, Tangerang.

The ambassador and the group will also see the bird flu patients treated in a special room at the public regional hospital , Tangerang.

Head of the Immunization Section of the Health Department, Ace Kurniawan, who is also the project's manager, said the donation will be used for dissemination of bird flu information at schools and training for villages and private midwives.

Tangerang was selected for the highest number of deaths caused by the bird flu. According to data from the Crisis Management Center of the Health Department, 81 people died up to February 3rd. In the province of Banten, 22 out of 25 cases died.

JONIANSYAH | AYU CIPTA