Malnutrition death toll rises in East Nusa Tenggara

The death toll from malnutrition in East Nusa Tenggara has increased to 23 following the death of a child in Sumba regency on June 14.

East Nusa Tenggara health office head Stefanus Bria Seran said in Kupang on Monday that his office was making efforts to limit the number of deaths but was hampered by money constraints.

The 23 children, all below the age of five, died of malnutrition from January to June. Most came from Central Sumba (with nine deaths), Kupang city (seven), Rote Ndao (four), South Central Timor (two) and Kupang regency (one).

Data from the provincial health office shows at least 512,000 malnourished toddlers have undergone medical treatment at nutrition rehabilitation centers in East Nusa Tenggara, the country's least developed province.