Yesterday, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced that the country will establish a poultry flu surveillance system capable of monitoring avian influenza among millions of citizens at the village and sub-district levels.
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Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono |
“We are considering a multi-step plan for avian influenza prevention across the archipelago, called “Village Preparedness,” which will extend down to the village level,” he stated after a meeting with the Ministries of Health and Agriculture. This plan involves at least five people in each village participating in monitoring any cases of avian influenza in both poultry and humans, ensuring rapid reporting of avian flu cases, according to the president.
The plan also includes selecting doctors for training to handle avian flu cases.
“We hope that “Village Preparedness” can be implemented within a month; the sooner, the better. We are seriously studying this issue to ensure our country can be safe from avian influenza,” President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono remarked.
The president also mentioned that for this plan to progress effectively, it requires the participation of the entire country as well as “the determination of all regional leaders.” According to him, some areas have not fully implemented measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza, and he warned regional leaders to enhance their sense of responsibility in the coming 2-3 days or face self-assessment.
Over the past weekend, Indonesia announced it would produce 220 million Tamiflu tablets, the only medication currently effective in treating avian influenza. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono noted that 2 million tablets are still being imported before the country completes its Tamiflu production. Currently, Indonesia’s stock of the medication stands at only 800,000 tablets.
T.VY (According to AFP, Jakarta Post)
