Jakarta – A quagmire every time it rains

Jakarta – A quagmire every time it rains

By Dr Madan M Vasandani

            January is a precarious month of the year if you are living in Jakarta. The peak of the rainy season in 2012 is predicted to be in the month of January. Like the previous rainy seasons in Jakarta, it brings with it the floods, traffic jams and not forgetting the diseases. The floods that hit Jakarta 5 years back brought with it an insurgence in the number of Hepatitis A, Typhoid, tetanus and Cholera cases. This should be a lesson for all of us and it should lead to a question of whether you are prepared for this years floods. Looking at the ever deepening puddle in front of my apartment after a drizzle tells me that the Jakarta government is not ready for this years impending doom. 

            Since we Jakartans cannot do much to calm the storm, the least we can do is to protect ourselves from illnesses that can be an epidemic when it floods. These illnesses include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Cholera. The vaccines for these diseases are available and they are very effective and carry almost no side effects. The other conditions that can be due to the rain and flooding are water borne illnesses like Gastroenteritis and Vector borne illnesses like Dengue fever. Make sure you do all you can to prevent yourself from getting sick. Here are some suggestions

• Whatever you eat should be steam hot.
• Whatever you drink is either bottled water or from a dispenser.
• Watch out for those dodgy looking ice-drinks at the streets or even in restaurants. If you like your drink to be cold, ask for a cold preparation and ensure no ice in your glass.
•  The vegetables that you eat should be properly cleaned.   
• A common condition during flooding which is underestimated is leptospirosis. This is a bacterial infection that can affect anyone who is exposed to contaminated waters. The symptoms of this disease include flu like symptoms, eye pain especially to bright light, fever and chills. This disease can lead to severe complications if not treated early. Ensure you meet your physician if you are having these symptoms.
• Get Vaccinated against the Flu

The common adage “Carry an umbrella before it rains” is very proper for this season. Make sure your experience during this years rainy season is remembered only for the good things. You cannot prevent the rain or the floods but you can prevent yourself and your family from getting sick. Keep safe!!

If you would like to get vaccinated for the above conditions or if the rains have affected your health, call Centrepoint Healthcare at 5706208 for an appointment.

The Waiting Game

The Waiting game

                2 months ago I went to the dentist because I cracked my molar. The dentist told me that I needed to do a root canal operation and then a new molar cap will be inserted. I am a doctor and I know what happens if I delay treatment. Sure enough I am writing this article while a horrendous ache lies deep in my gums and pointing a finger at me saying “I told you to get it treated earlier”. There has been a tremendous leap in the world of Preventive medicine in the past few years. The one development that caught my attention is the Vaccine against Cervical Cancer. The development of a vaccine against cancer is exactly what the world needs. The number of people affected by Cancer every year is just shocking. I am sure, you know of someone who has cancer or died of cancer. 

There is now a prevention against cervical cancer which is one of the most common cancer affecting females. In Indonesia, Cervical Cancer ranks number 1. A report in one of the leading hospitals in Indonesia stated that out of the 8000 females diagnosed with cancer in 2002, 2500 of them had Cervical Cancer. I was in complete shock to see this figure. Cervical Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Indonesia. The bright side to this is that a vaccine that can prevent it up to 70% is now available. If you are a girl between the age of 12 -24 years and you have not got the vaccine, ensure that you make an appointment with your family physician and request to get vaccinated. 

                If you are not yet convinced or you are planning to delay the vaccination for another year maybe these few points will encourage you to get vaccinated

1. It decreases your chance of developing Cervical Cancer by 70%
2. Its only documented side effects are low grade fever and pain at the injection site
3. It is cost effective. A women diagnosed with Cervical Cancer can spend up to 100 to 150 thousand US dollars to treat the cancer. To get vaccinated it cost about 200 US dollar
4. Cervical Cancer can affect females as young as 35 years old.
5. It is widely available.

In life we are faced with so many issues. Wouldn’t it be amazing and mind soothing if you know that you are protected against cancer. Strike the iron when it is hot. Do not wait another day to get vaccinated. If you are encouraged now, ensure you do not procrastinate like the doctor who is writing this article. It could prove to be a very painful experience. Centrepoint Healthcare provides the Cervical Cancer vaccine. We are located in Midplaza 1, basement floor, Jl Sudirman. For an appointment call 5706208