Elephant Foot Patients In Cirebon Assisted By Health Office, Observation At Hasan Sadikin Hospital Bandung

Illustration of people with elephant legs or filariasis who are transmitted through mosquitoes. (Between)

The Cirebon District Health Office (Dinkes) assisted in handling Misri (34), a resident of Sende Village, Arjawinangun District, who suffered from elephant legs or filariasis by preparing further medical observations at the regional hospital (RS).

Secretary of the Cirebon District Health Office Edi Susanto in Cirebon, Wednesday, said the resident had been in the assistance of health workers for a long time.

In fact, he said, this resident had been treated at Hasan Sadikin Hospital in Bandung for more intensive treatment.

"This patient has been diagnosed with filarisation since 2014. During that time it has been handled in coordination with the puskesmas, Health Office, and provinces. He even had time to be treated at Hasan Sadikin Hospital in Bandung," he said.

He explained that the results of the last examination stated that Misri's condition was negative.

However, patients still experience anemia and complaints of pain, so they still need continuous observation and health assistance.

"The results were negative, but because the complaints had not disappeared, we did another observation. If additional medical action is needed, the patient is ready to be referred again to the hospital," he said.

He explained that the elephant's leg disease developed in the long term due to mosquito infection that attacks the lymph tract.

He mentioned that the condition of the swelling could settle, and it would be difficult to fully recover if it was not prevented from the start.

If linfa is infected, it can cause swelling because the body's defense is weakened. The impact can be permanent, so the important thing is to prevent further infection," he said.

In handling this time, he said, the medical team together with the local health center took Misri using an ambulance to Arjawinangun Hospital to undergo further examination.

He said Misri was known to have started to feel pain while working as a labor force in Bahrain in 2011-2013. This condition got worse after the resident gave birth to his second child in 2017 to limit his daily activities.

The Cirebon District Health Office ensures that it monitors and provides medical assistance to Misri so that her quality of life is maintained despite experiencing limitations.

"Puskesmas has prepared health workers who accompany patients. If necessary further action, the health office will coordinate again with the hospital," he said.