JAMBERITA.COM- The National Child Immunization Month (BIAS) also touched inland tribes. Saturday (6/18/2022) Measles Rubella immunization was given to the Orang Rimba group who live in Terap, Bathin XXIV District, Batanghari Regency by the Durian Luncuk Health Center in collaboration with KKI Warsi. A similar event was also held by the Panerokan Health Center together with Warsi and Reki to provide treatment, immunization and counseling on clean and healthy living to the Bathin Sembilan community in Bungku Village, Bajubang District, Batanghari Regency, Thursday (16/6/2022).
“This activity is a continuation of Warsi’s collaboration with the Health Service through the Health Center to reach out to the tribes living in and around the forest,” said Maria Kristin, Warsi Health Facilitator who participated in assisting the implementation of this immunization.
According to Maria, immunization was given to these tribes after an explanation and approach to the community. “Initially it was not easy to give immunizations to Orang Rimba and Bathin Sembilan, but after the socialization was carried out by explaining in detail about the vaccine, they were willing to accept it,” said Maria.
Officers who want to do this activity have also been given an understanding of these tribes, so that when they do activities they can be done well. “Distant access is usually an obstacle in reaching these tribes, including communication problems, we bridge it there, so that medical officers can reach them, meet directly with this community,” said Maria.
In the implementation of BIAS, the target is children 9 months – 12 years old to get immunizations that are useful for preventing measles and rubella virus attacks. Other vaccines needed by the community are also provided. In Tarap, the location of the Orang Rimba settlement, which is a two-hour drive away with a double axle vehicle, there are 32 children who received the Measles Rubella vaccine. There were also 35 adults who received treatment with complaints of itching, cough and fever.
“Interestingly, there are Orang Rimba who bring their children to the Puskesmas for vaccines. So, we previously disseminated information to groups that would come to administer vaccines and treatment, because there are some group members who are looking for Damar away from their group but closer to the puskesmas, they choose to come directly to the Puskesmas, “said Maria.
So, before going to the Orang Rimba location in Terap, first eight children of the jungle brought by their parents to get the vaccine.
Not only in Orang Rimba, BIAS is also promoted in the Bathin Sembilan community in Bungku Village, Bajubang District, Batanghari Regency. In this activity, immunization of BCG and Rubella Measles was carried out. Free medical treatment is also provided for this community. “This activity will still continue to other groups, both Orang Rimba and Bathin Sembilan and also Talang Mamak,” said Maria.
The basic treatment and vaccines given to these remote tribes are part of a Puskesmas program which is located close to the tribes living in and around the forest. The lack of knowledge of these tribes on the threat of increasingly diverse diseases and also the difficulty of access requires that the health service center be closer to them. while for medical staff there is a language barrier as well as an approach to the community that must also be bridged. On this basis, Warsi and the Puskesmas have collaborated to reach these tribes. It is hoped that in the future these tribes can live better with excellent health for a prosperous future.
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