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Province enlists teens for health care

Local officials in partnership with young people to teach them more about illness
Province enlists teens for health care
Published: October 14, 2011 06:02 AM GMT
Updated: October 14, 2011 06:45 AM GMT

A partnership between local government officials and an NGO in East Nusa Tenggara aims to educate young people about maternal and infant health. The Child Development and Education Association (LPPA), part of the Childfund Partnership, and the Health Service of Belu district, brought together 44 teenagers from 17 villages in the district and North Central Timor for a training program that began yesterday and runs through October 16. According to a survey conducted by Childfund, these villages have a high rate (about five percent) of child malnutrition. “This program aims to encourage teenagers to assist midwives and housewives serving at the posyandu [family health-care center] in their own villages,” said Mikhael Riu, coordinator of the LPPA. The four-day program is providing instruction to teenagers on health care for mothers and infants, breastfeeding, the benefits of regular health checks at posyandu facilities and child nutrition. Riu said villages face a high rate of malnutrition among children because of unhealthy lifestyles and inadequate food supplies. There was lower rainfall this year and villagers failed to harvest [their crops], he said. Emerensiana Barkanis, a participant in the training program, said she was learning important skills. “I have got so much knowledge about health care and nutrition. I am willing to be a good a good health servant in my village,” said the 16-year-old from Fatukmuti village in North Central Timor. Related reports: High malnutrition alarms ChurchChurch, state target malnutrition

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