New malnutrition case found in Makassar

A new malnutrition case has been found in Makassar, giving a slap in the face of the province widely known as one of the country’s major rice suppliers.

Jamal, 9, has been treated at the Jala Ammari Navy Hospital in the provincial capital since Thursday last week for marasmus. He weighs only 10 kilograms and is suffering from bronchitis and worm.

Hospital director Pudji Widodo said on Tuesday that Jamal, who lives with his poor mother on Jl. Barukang, was referred to the hospital from Pattingalloang community health center.

“When he was admitted to the hospital, he was very weak. He was not only very thin, but he was too weak to sit down,” Pudji said.

The hospital’s nutritionist who treats Jamal, Cheerie Wulur, said her medical team would focus on healing her patient’s bronchitis.

“After he recovers from bronchitis we will help him gain weight and recover from other illnesses. For the time being we also provide him with high calorie and high protein food,” she said.

She added that the severe malnutrition had caused permanent damage to her patient’s brain and would slow his physical growth.

Makassar is one of few regions in the country that have introduced free healthcare for the poor in the last few years.