The Head Of The Health Office Denied That There Were Central Bangka Residents Who Died From Bad Nutrition

Head of the Central Bangka Health Service, Dr. Anas Maaruf. (ANTARA)

CENTRAL BANGKA - Head of the Central Bangka District Health Office, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Dr. Anas Maaruf, denied that a resident named Nurlaila (12) died allegedly due to malnutrition. "The death of Nurlaila cannot be immediately diagnosed due to malnutrition, because it must be ensured through laboratory checks," he said in Koba, Antara, Tuesday, February 7. Anas said it was in response to a resident of East Kurau Village on behalf of Nurlaila who was said to have died because he was suspected of having malnutrition. "Although the physical condition in question is like suffering from malnutrition, it cannot be concluded that this conclusion is the cause because it could suffer from other diseases such as tuberculosis, it is necessary to check the laboratory," he said. Anas said that Nurlaila was a patient whose health condition had been monitored by medical personnel since six months ago. According to him, malnutrition does not cause death, but if it is accompanied by congenital and acute diseases, it can worsen the situation. "If the nutrition alone should not die. But if there are congenital diseases such as tuberculosis, cancer and others that make the body decrease its immunity," he said. The Central Bangka Health Office noted that until now there have been no residents suffering from malnutrition because they did not eat. "No resident has malnutrition because he lacks or does not eat, if there is a stunting case, but it is only a problem of nutritional intake that is not balanced and does not cause death," he said. Anas also appealed if he saw conditions or symptoms such as malnutrition and other diseases to immediately report them to the nearest service center. "The report was caught, from the parents or residents to the village head or the village head and then forwarded to the midwife, then proceed to the puskesmas and puskes to the office. So immediately report it, don't be slow," said Anas. He also appealed to routinely carry out medical treatment so that the patient's condition can be monitored. "Medially it must always be done, please residents to perform traditional medicine but medical treatment must still be done to monitor the patient's latest condition," he said.