Worms affect thousands of kids

Worms affect thousands of kids

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: About 11,000 or 4.7 percent of
251,000 children in Sikka regency have worms, which frequently
causes malnutrition and diarrhea.

Director of Bina Mandiri Foundation Lourensius described the
importance of educating the public and particularly children
about hygiene and the use of toilets. In cooperation with the
United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), Bina Mandiri has built
200 toilets in Talebura district since last year. This year, it
will build 200 toilets in Bola village, Sikka regency.

He said 77 percent of households in the rural areas of the
regency do not have toilets or bathrooms. The regency's
population is 205,800, many of whom are undernourished. Almost
7,000 babies were recently found to be suffering from
malnutrition, with 264 severe cases. (yac)