Nutrition, officials and the people

Nutrition, officials and the people

From Kompas

Some time ago the media published news about President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono's health; he was reported to be suffering from
a common cold. The President's spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said
the doctor had advised him to rest. Colds can affect anybody,
from a common person to a high-ranking official.

A scavenger who each day breathes in polluted air while
picking through piles of garbage certainly has a greater risk of
catching an illness. On the other hand, a person who works in an
agreeable, air-conditioned room and lives in a luxurious house
with a swimming pool will have less of a chance of being infected
with some illness.

But why does hospital treatment remain so costly, making it
virtually unaffordable for the poor?

I think it appropriate here to appeal to our President, during
Ramadhan, to break the fast together or have predawn meals with
slum dwellers. This kind of togetherness has become common
practice among the nation's dignitaries and those in the upper
classes in previous Ramadhans. The same should also be true with
the President's aides.

By so doing, they would realize that the quality of food they
eat is considerably different from that served in the homes of
the less fortunate. Remember: "Together (with SBY) we keep
going."

YON HOTMAN
Jakarta