Batek deaths: Measles is just the end result of neglect
The recent revelation by the Minister of Health that it was measles that killed the children in the Orang Asli Bateq tribe is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg with regards to the care of our indigenous people.
The aboriginal tribes and people have been sidelined with many settlements moved to the fringes of towns during the communist insurgency times.
In a study conducted on Orang Asli settlements, it was found that the weights and heights of the children in these resettled areas were lower than their brethren who were left in the jungle. This was attributed to scant natural flora and fauna for them to survive on.
Now with rampant and uncontrolled deforestation, the traditionally nomadic jungle tribes have scant natural resources to tap for their survival. Contamination of the rivers led to diseases like leptospirosis and other enteric infections.
For centuries, measles is frequently brought to indigenous populations from outsiders, explorers in the past but loggers and others currently. In the past, the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli (JHEOA) later renamed Jabatan Orang Asli was entrusted with the healthcare of the communities with the cooperation of our Ministry of Health (MOH).
This was subsequently handed completely to the MOH, which is not a bad thing. Some things still need the local input and buy-in to provide a successful and acceptable service.
While we know that the MOH and many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) provide healthcare and immunisation services to many communities, we also know that the nomadic tribes are hard to track and many will disappear into the jungles when they know that a health team is coming to give vaccinations. These teams will then run clinics to see the ill ones for treatment, not prevention.
The way out of the situation is through education. Sending the best (or better) teachers and doctors to these communities will make a change in mindset from childhood. Many communities have made a change for the better, especially in Perak, where the local health and education officers take it upon themselves to push the indigenous people’s agenda. This agenda was initiated by the local paediatricians who wanted to see an end to treating the end result of malnutrition in their wards. Measles in a malnourished child ends in disaster, without exception.
The government has to relook at re-allocating manpower and funding resources to these neglected populations without looking at their voting power. It is time to even out the wealth of the nation to the underprivileged and marginalised from the rich who have benefited for the last few decades. More commitment from big corporations in helping NGOs that deal directly with the indigenous people and the MOH will help.
As we know that the best prevention of measles is through vaccination, the immunisation strategy for the populations has to be strengthened. At the same time, we need to help with their nutrition and general hygiene. These can only come through education and what better way than to teach the young ones directly and through their mothers.
Groups like IMARET have been going around installing local water treatment facilities to the Orang Asli populations in addition to providing basic healthcare but we need more and a concerted government commitment for these people. We need to teach them to fish rather than provide the fish!
There is a lot more work to be done in a consistent manner for the marginalised pribumi populations. The sooner we start, the better will be the preservation of these people. These measles deaths are a tragedy that we need to recognise, and learn from, and our condolences and prayers go to the relatives.
Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail
Secretary General,
Asia Pacific Paediatric Association (APPA) & Executive Committee member, Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA)
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of The Leaders Online.
