Malnutrition in S. Kalimantan

Malnutrition in S. Kalimantan

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Twenty-six undernourished
babies in South Kalimantan have died this year and 59 others are
currently receiving treatment, Antara reported on Saturday.

South Kalimantan administration spokesman Kamarul Hidayat said
there were also at least 4,482 children under the age of five who
needed immediate care for undernourishment.

He said that since February, 72 incidents of malnutrition were
found in the provincial capital of Banjarmasin.

Kamarul also said that of 15 cases of malnutrition reported in
June, eight were treated at the hospital while the rest were
treated in their homes.

He said the administration was distributing food packages
containing rice, instant noodles, eggs and powdered milk to help
fight malnutrition.

On Monday, Antara reported from Riau's provincial capital of
Pekanbaru that Rp 17 billion would be allocated by the central
government to help fight undernourishment among infants in the
province.

According to administration data, there are some 27,400
malnourished children under the age of five in Riau.

Administration secretary Tengku Lukman Jaafar said this figure
could rise due to more intensive monitoring being carried out in
cooperation with non-governmental organizations.(edt)