Pundi Sumatra, with the support of Estungkara, is carrying out monthly educational activities, Thursday 19 October 2023. The aim of this monthly education is to provide insight and facilitate interaction for the indigenous people of the Anak Dalam Tribe (SAD).
This activity was initiated as a response to the spread of the infectious disease Tuberculosis (TB) which hit one of the indigenous communities. "From the examination, a total of 2 people were infected out of 3 people who were indicated," said Arief, the field facilitator. Apart from TB, Arief also explained that the diseases that SAD indigenous people often suffer from are fever, coughs, colds and stomach aches. The factor is minimal personal and environmental hygiene.
On this occasion, Pundi Sumatra again collaborated with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Sarolangun Regency to provide education. The SAD indigenous community is invited to participate to prevent transmission without fear or discrimination against patients and their families.
Denis, chairman of the PMI Sarolangun Headquarters, said that there are several steps that can be taken to prevent the transmission of TB disease. Such as giving vaccines to newborn babies, and encouraging the practice of Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS). As well as carrying out examinations as early as possible on people who are indicated. "Washing your hands regularly before eating and after doing activities outside the home is the key to personal health," said Denis.
Denis also explained that patients suffering from TB should not be discriminated against. Even though it is an infectious disease, patients with TB must be supported and given motivation to recover.
Rombong Jurai, as an area that has not received health assistance from the government, also received outreach from PMI Sarolangun. One of them is about how to effectively access medical services and the importance of having health protection.
“This health protection is a form of health equality between indigenous peoples and the general public. Friends here are citizens whose lives are guaranteed by the government. "Therefore, it is important to both oversee the JKN assistance process which should be our collective right," explained Denis.
Pundi Sumatra continues to encourage the government, especially the Social Service, to complete data collection so that it is immediately registered in the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) baseline. Previously, Pundi Sumatra had entered into an MoU with the Pematang Jurumat Community Health Center so that it could provide health services to residential areas of the SAD traditional community at least once a month. However, this collaboration of course still has limited activity time and limited equipment from the health center such as medicines.
"We are also still pushing for a special regional budget for health units to be able to conduct field visits for free examinations for the SAD indigenous community here. "Of course without our intervention," stressed Arief.
