Millions of children may be stunted: Sujudi<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Health Sujudi said four million
\nchildren under the age of five may be stunted because their basic
\nlife needs are not being met.<\/p>\n
\"These children are facing problems which may affect their
\ncognitive, affective and social development,\" he told the
\nNational Congress of Pediatrics in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra.<\/p>\n
According to 1994 Unicef data, Indonesia has 21.7 million
\nchildren under the age of four.<\/p>\n
The minister was quoted by Antara as saying on Friday that
\nmany of the children's parents suffer from problems induced by
\nthe high stress of industrialization and urbanization.<\/p>\n
\"In this era, many of people's needs are not being met,
\nneither in quantity nor quality. This creates psychosocial
\nproblems such as juvenile delinquency and drug abuse,\" Sujudi
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He underlined the importance of the first 18 years of an
\nindividual's life.<\/p>\n
\"If any developmental tasks during this period are disturbed,
\nthen this person's quality as an adult will be affected,\" he
\nargued.<\/p>\n
The minister suggested that parents take time off to pay more
\nattention to their children's basic needs by creating a loving
\nenvironment as well as providing a healthy diet, medical care and
\neducation. \"Only then can the children achieve their optimum
\ngrowth,\" Sujudi argued.<\/p>\n
Separately, State Minister of Population Haryono Suyono once
\nagain called on the public to provide funds to send children to
\nschool.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto inaugurated the National Foster Parents
\nMovement on May 29, in Demak, Central Java, by pledging to take
\ncare of 100,000 children in need of financial assistance.<\/p>\n
Soeharto said there are currently six million children who are
\ntoo poor to afford schooling. Of these, 400,000 need immediate
\ncare, he said.<\/p>\n
Haryono said the foster parent program is part of the
\ncommemoration of Children's Day on July 23. President Soeharto
\nwill lead the celebration which will be attended by 25,000
\nchildren. There will be 1,000 children from the remote areas of
\nIndonesia and neighboring countries. (31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/millions-of-children-may-be-stunted-sujudi-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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