Head of P2P Aceh Health Office, dr. Iman Murahman, Sp.KKLP, MKM

(BANDA ACEH) — Diphtheria, an infectious disease caused by Corynebacterium diphteriae, is still a frightening threat to society. This disease, which can attack people of all ages, is spread through coughing, sneezing or open wounds. In fact, serious infections with complications can be life-threatening, especially in children.

In Aceh Province, diphtheria cases have increased significantly. In 2021 there were 17 cases recorded and in 2022 it rose to 30 cases, now as of November 2023 there have been 33 cases of diphtheria in Aceh. Unfortunately, on average around 10 percent of the number of patients treated cannot be saved.

This was stated by the Head of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) Aceh Health Office, Dr. Iman Murahman MKM when interviewed on Wednesday (13/12/2023). According to Iman, diphtheria cases, which are dominated by children, are now increasing and evenly distributed in districts/cities.

On average, children are attacked by diphtheria from the ages of 1-4 years, 5-9 years, and 10-14 years. This disease has initial symptoms including fever or no fever, infection in the throat, redness in the pharynx, swollen neck, and a grayish white membrane that can cover half the throat cavity.

It was stated that a number of efforts had been made by the Aceh Health Service (Dinkes) to prevent this dangerous diphtheria disease, including by immunizing schools, but there are still some in our community who refuse to be immunized.

“Every year there are diphtheria cases that die in Aceh, and the increase in cases is significant. Around 10 percent of the total number of diphtheria cases in Aceh died. “Immunization is a prevention effort that can be done,” said Dr. Iman Murahman MKM.

Iman continued, sometimes rejection of immunization is unreasonable. There are parents who still question the halalness of vaccines, but the majority refuse immunization because they are afraid of side effects.

“Like fever after an injection, and swelling at the injection site. Even though this is a normal reaction that occurs as a result of the immunization process. “This is not dangerous and there is no need to worry about it,” he explained.

He added that the Aceh Health Office has been carrying out early detection. For those infected with diphtheria, they are given anti-diphtheria serum (ADS), antibiotics, consult a pediatrician, ENT and cardiologist.

“These patients are usually treated in separate rooms in the hospital, so they don’t infect others,” said Dr. Faith.

Meanwhile, people who have close contact with patients must be examined by taking a throat swab and then sending it to a laboratory in Jakarta.

People closest to the patient must also be given antibiotics and receive 3 doses of immunization.

“This is a challenge, because the immunization program is often rejected by the community,” continued Iman.

Iman Murahman explained that the most dangerous phase for diphtheria patients is when a grayish-white membrane appears that covers the airways.

Doctors can create an artificial airway in the patient’s neck that penetrates the trachea, but there are serious complications that can arise.

“Even if the patient survives, in this phase, there could be complications with heart lining infections, kidney function failure and muscle spasms. So this is very tiring,” he added.

Lowest immunization achievement in the world

In another part, the Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the Aceh Health Office, Dr. Iman Murahman MKM, revealed surprising facts regarding immunization in Aceh. According to him, currently the immunization achievement in Aceh is the lowest in the world.

“There is no country that does not implement immunization. “However, in Aceh, our immunization achievements are the lowest – in Indonesia and even – in the world,” he admitted.

Without immunization, he continued, children will be vulnerable to contracting deadly infectious diseases such as diphtheria.

“Actually, we just have to immunize, the problem is solved. “Don’t let our children have to go through this critical period,” he said.

Iman Murahman advised parents who find diphtheria-like symptoms in their children to immediately take their children to the doctor, wearing a mask.

👁 22 kali

2023-12-20 10:58:00
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