We are both shocked and concerned by the death of over 60 toddlers in Agats, Asmat regency, West Papua, due to malnutrition and measles.
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Kompas/Wisnu Widiantoro
A child is being treated for measles at the Agats Hospital in Papua on Friday (12/1). That day, three of 15 measles patients at the hospital were released. Throughout January, Agats Hospital has treated 34 outpatients and 29 inpatients for measles.
We are both shocked and concerned by the death of over 60 toddlers in Agats, Asmat regency, West Papua, due to malnutrition and measles.
Kompas reporters in Agats found that the terrain posed a huge challenge to reach remote villages. River transportation through swamps is the only way to reach these villages.
Some believe that there may still be a number of toddlers suffering from malnutrition and measles in the villages, and limited communication has hindered rescue efforts.
We are shocked and concerned as, amid the spirit of developing the nation’s frontiers, there are still Indonesians suffering from malnutrition and diseases that are preventable with a proper immunization program.
The health disaster in Agats reminds us all that societal development, mainly in healthcare and education, must be prioritized by central and local governments.
We are concerned that malnutrition still occurs amid claims of the government’s success in producing a national surplus of rice. This brings us to the reality that adequate food production is not enough to ensure that the people are completely free from hunger and malnutrition.
Of no less importance in this surplus of production is access to food. This is often overlooked in food policy and has less buzz than production and price stabilization.
Food is a basic human need and right. The Constitution and Law No. 18/2002 on food require the state to ensure the availability, affordability and fulfillment of food that is sufficient, safe, of a certain quality and with a balanced nutrition at national, regional and individual levels equal in all regions of Indonesia at all times.
Malnutrition in toddlers in Agats and perhaps in many other regions in Indonesia reminds us of Nobel in economics laureate Amartya Sen’s statement that democracy would eradicate famine. Leaders elected through a democratic process will work hard to fulfill the needs of their voters, including fulfilling the needs for food, education and healthcare. A dysfunctional democracy cannot ensure people’s access to these basic human needs. Ironically, this is taking place in the era of regional autonomy.
We must not be reluctant in looking at our past achievements, including the integrated health service posts (Posyandus), the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) and community health centers (Puskesmas). Posyandus and the PKK successfully decreased the mortality rate of children under five by monitoring toddlers’ health and improving household knowledge on the importance of health, education and usage of local resources. If there are shortcomings in these programs, they should be improved.
Central and local governments must pay attention to access to food by reviewing their food policies to avoid excessive focus on rice. Such a policy neglects local food potential that can fulfill the needs of all due to our abundant natural resources.
