West Sumatra worst on malnutrition list<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): West Sumatra has the most infants affected with
\nmalnutrition so far, followed by West Java and Central Java.<\/p>\n
Minister of Food and Horticulture AM Saefuddin said 56
\nchildren have died across the country while at least 2,866
\nchildren were affected.<\/p>\n
He was quoted by Antara on Friday in Semarang as saying there
\nwere 261 cases in Central Java, and eight had died.<\/p>\n
In West Sumatra, he said, 834 children were afflicted and in
\nWest Java there were 790 cases.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin was in Semarang to attend a coordination meeting on
\nfood and nutrition.<\/p>\n
\"The areas which need the most attention are the regencies of
\nPurbalingga, Grobogan, Magelang, Pekalongan, Boyolali,
\nBanjarnegara, Wonogiri and Pekalongan township,\" he said.<\/p>\n
To help overcome the problem, Saefuddin said his office
\ndelivered 200 tons of rice worth Rp 500 million to needy families
\nthrough local authorities.<\/p>\n
He said the Ministry of Health continues to report on cases of
\nchildren with malnutrition every week, and reports were expected
\nevery 24 hours for children known to have acute conditions.<\/p>\n
In addition there was a subsidy of Rp 4,000 a day per child,
\nhe said and families whose children are being treated would not
\nbe charged for medical and hospital fees.<\/p>\n
He said the assistance was available for three months, after
\nwhich an evaluation would be conducted.<\/p>\n
The minister rejected suggestions from Purworejo regent
\nGurnito to distribute the aid in the form of cash.<\/p>\n
\"The risks are high, more so ahead of the poll. I am worried
\nthe money could be abused like in the case of the social safety
\nnet funds.\" (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/west-sumatra-worst-on-malnutrition-list-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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