Health Needs

CONTEXT
This initial survey was conducted by a group of MBA students from the Carlson School of Business with approximately 40 local leaders who gathered at Pulau Terong on 04 Jan 2004. This is a portion of their findings which highlights many of the felt needs in the community.

OBJECTIVE
To better understand and prioritize the health needs of the Riau Melayu people in order to develop and implement a sustainable CD program.

GOALS

 
FINDINGS

Statistics
  • Clinics are for first aid only (minor medical issues).
  • Geranting has a midwife clinic for birthing.
  • Geranting is typically a 15-minute boat ride to see the midwife.
  • Midwife cost ~ 40,000 rupiah per check-up and Rp.300,000 to give birth.
  • There is a birth control method being used, Pil KB (family planning), and a government program to control the number of children per family.
  • 1 Help Center per 3,000 people.
  • 1 clinic per 30,000 people.
  • No doctors.
  • 2 people caring for 3,400 people and 1 midwife.
  • Caregivers are a step below nurses.
  • Healthcare is available to all.  (Cost restrictions??  Were not identified, but are likely an issue)
  • If cannot be treated at clinic, must go to hospital with “proof of inability to pay” slip.
Felt needs
Malaria
-  Assumed cause – the tide comes in and leaves pools of stagnant water; the rain mixes and creates the breeding ground for mosquitoes and in turn Malaria.
-  This problem waxes and wanes.
-  Government has offered assistance by giving free care in government hospital to those with Malaria (reactive).
Nutrition
-  Little to no nutritional value.
-  Cause – do not have money to purchase nutritional food.
-  There is nutritional food on the island, but cannot afford to purchase it and it is more expensive in Batam.
-  The cleaner, smaller islands, such as Terong, have fewer problems than some others, but nutrition is still a valid concern.
-  The lack of nutrition is not age discriminate.
-  The people have enough protein from fish.
-  They are lacking vitamins – only eat cauliflower and sometimes carrots.  Jack fruit causes diarrhea if eaten in excess.
Sanitation
-  This is an obvious need, but the people do not want to know how unclean they are.
-  This is a main hazard to weakening the immune system.
-  People are more susceptible to illness and to Malaria due to unsanitary conditions.
 
Priorities
1) Malaria
2) Nutrition
3) Sanitation