JAKARTA - A number of academics have asked the government to pay more attention to the health of mothers and children who are victims of the impact of the Sumatra flood disaster.
"The hope is of course that the government will be brave and firm regarding this education and policy, because the sweet generation today will end up with a bitter future," said UMJ Nutrition Expert Professor, Dr. Tria Astika Endah Permatasari, quoted by Antara.
Tria said that the conditions on the ground were colored by various food issues, such as the issue of giving condensed milk to children because it is still considered a substitute for milk.
This needs to be considered, because sweet condensed milk is often one of the products distributed in social assistance to the community.
This finding is also in line with research conducted by academics from the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta (UMJ), Semarang State University (Unnes), and Yogyakarta Aisyiyah University which showed that the practice of giving condensed milk to toddlers is still found.
Research shows that children's nutritional problems are closely related to a misunderstanding of the content and function of food products. On the other hand, social and economic factors also affect family consumption choices.
He reminded that the problem was very serious and needed assistance from the government. In the midst of limited access to food, clean water, and health services, vulnerable groups such as toddlers, children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers are the most affected.
Without adequate intake, the risk of health disorders and decreased immunity increases, especially in disease-prone refugee environments. While children need balanced nutrition intake to support optimal growth and development, especially in the stressful post-disaster situation.
The Coordinator of the MaKes PP Aisyiyah Public Health Empowerment Division, Dr. dr. Ekorini Listiowati, MMR., also emphasized the importance of assistance to prevent educational errors related to the food consumed by toddlers.
According to him, the assistance provided can monitor children's eating patterns, as well as provide education and provide food that is in line with the "Fill My Plate" campaign directly to families.
Assistance can be carried out through regular meetings with parents, which are filled with education on safe food for toddlers, the introduction of alternative substitutes for thick sweet, to cooking training from easily accessible ingredients.
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