Because of limited funding support, thousands of children in East Nusa Tenggara are suffering from malnutrition and have been deprived of adequate medical care.

Eight children have reportedly died from malnutrition in the past six months, while 49 others are currently receiving treatments at hospitals and nutrition centers.

The central government had stopped providing food supplements for children since 2007, Isbandrio, head of nutrition rehabilitation division of East Nusa Tenggara Health Offi ce, said in Kupang on Monday.

"The provincial administration submitted a *request* for Rp 57 billion from the Offi ce of the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare in 2008, but there was no response, which has further impacted thousands of malnourished children," Isbandrio said.

The provincial administration had set aside Rp 2 billion in 2008, comprising Rp 1.5 billion for nutrition intervention for malnourished children, especially those below five years old and Rp 500 million for expecting mothers.

"Each of the regencies is expected to allocate funding for nutrition improvement, but most have failed to do so," he said.

Those suffering from malnutrition should receive food supplements for between three and nine months, Isbandrio said.

"Those categorized as under nourished should need only three months nutrition supplement *to get better*, while those who are malnourished and those suffering from acute malnutrition *would take* six and nine months, respectively.

"Within those periods, they should have suffi cient intakes of protein and carbohydrates, but because of limited funds, the nutrition improvement program has not been effective," Isbandrio said.

The eight fatalities were recorded in Kupang city (fi ve), and one each in East Sumba, East Flores and North Central Timor regencies.

"The latest victim was Yohana Fransina who died in East Flores recently," Isbandrio said.

Isbandrio's offi ce had recorded 7,065 cases of malnutrition without clinical disorder, 48,436 cases of undernourishment and 49 cases of acute malnutrition with clinical disorders (30 of which were with marasmus, nine kwashiorkor and 10 marasmus-kwashiorkor).

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