UNAIR NEWS – Torrential rain in Sampang since Friday, February 26 has made 13 villages inundated. The water height ranged from 70 to 100 cm depending on the villages’ land contour. The flood has taken its toll on the villagers. They could not any longer do their routines and they had to wary of diseases as the effects.

The poor condition has made UNAIR Faculty of Medicine – RSUD Dr. Soetomo Responsive Team to contribute and assist the flood victims in Sampang. The team was welcomed by Sampang Vice Regent H. Fadhilah Budiono and the head of Health Agency dr. Firman Pria Abadi on Monday, February 29.

In his speech, the Dean of FK UNAIR Prof. Soetojo, Dr., dr., Sp.U, who was also in the group, said that his party worried with Leptospirosis attacking the victims after the flood. The team’s coming was appreciated by Sampang government.

“I was pleased by UNAIR response which included gathering information on what the victims need and it helped a lot in the medical service given after the flood,” said dr. Firman Pria Abad, the head of Sampang Health Agency.

UNAIR involvement was really expected to help the victims’ medical recovery. Sulistiawati, dr., who was also in the team said that before going to Sampang, UNAIR has already coordinated with the local government, to know what the victims need.

“Helps on logistics, isotonic drink, medicine especially antibiotics were really useful to kill and prevent bacterial infections especially Leptospira sp. bacteria. To avoid overlapping authorities, the responsive team contacted Sampang Health Agency. We also proposed some helps for the victims especially after the flood,” said Sulistiawati, dr.

Medical Facility Establishment

With the team visit, Sampang people’s activities slowly returned to normal. The water has receded, shops have been opened, and students has gone to school again. Some people worked together cleaning the flood left-over.

From 13 villages inundated, medical team has visited 12 villages. In Dusun (hamlet) Grugul, the responsive team was assisted by Cindy Cecilia, dr., (FK UNAIR internship doctor) to establish medical facility. UNAIR medical facility built in a house yard provided free medical treatment.

Not for long, UNAIR medical facility was crowded with people. They came and mostly complained for having itches. With the medical facility, the disaster’s effect can be minimized and it can give them easy access to medical treatment. (*)

Author: Dwi Astuti
Editor: Defrina Sukma S