Malnutrition rampant in East Kalimantan

Malnutrition rampant in East Kalimantan

Rusman and Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Samarinda/Surakarta

Although East Kalimantan is popularly known as natural resource-
rich province, malnutrition is still rampant in the area.
Government data reveals that 174 infants, out of total 360,298
infants in the province, are currently suffering from
malnutrition.

Most of families whose infants are suffering from malnutrition
are poor, according to chief of East Kalimantan's provincial
health office Andi Madjid on Thursday.

In order to address the problem, the provincial government was
planning to reactivate neighborhood health service posts, said
Andi.

Through the posts, the government would also distribute
supplementary meals to poor families.

The government will also intensify surveillance of children or
infants at risk from malnutrition, and once identified, they will
then be taken to hospitals for intensive treatment.

The government will pay all hospital fees, said Andi.

"Some poor families are unable to provide nutritious food for
their children, while others can afford the food, but they don't
understand the importance of giving nutritious food to children,"
said Andi.

Meanwhile, infants suffering from malnutrition have also found
in Sragen, Central Java. Nova Maulana (2), has been admitted to
the Sragen Hospital were he is being fed intravenously. His legs
are thin, and his stomach bloated. His mouth continuously
discharges saliva. His mother, Sulami, 30, cries continuously
while sitting next to him.

Widi Atmodjo, the hospital's doctor, said that Nova's health
had been improving after being treated at the hospital for three
days. He has gained weight during his stay at the hospital, said
Widi.