32 children die from malnutrition

At least 32 of more than 675 children suffering from malnutrition in West Nusa Tenggara province have died this year, a health official says.  
 
More than 260 others are still being treated in community health centers and hospitals throughout the province while the rest have recovered, secretary of the provincial health agency Rohmi Khoiriyati told The Jakarta Post in Mataram on Friday.
 
She said the administration had covered all of the medical cost for the patients, and even provided allowance for the patients’ families who accompanied the children, up to Rp 40,000 (about US$4) per day.  
 
Cases of malnutrition are spread over the province’ eight regencies and two municipalities, with East Lombok, West Lombok and Central Lombok regencies being the worst-hit areas.
 
According to Rohmi, the number of malnutrition cases had dropped sharply from 5,000 in 2005 to 3,000 in 2006 and 1,800 in 2007. Last year saw 1,200 malnutrition patients and 45 of them died.
 
To cope with malnutrition, the administration has revitalized the integrated health posts for mothers and children in 911 villages and subdistiricts all over the province and is promoting breast-feeding.