"I called on the head of regent to pay serious attention to the issue of nutrition for children," Jokowi said after a short visit to Agats in Asmat district on Thursday.
The president applauded the implementation of various programs by Asmat administration in cooperation with related ministries and the Indonesian military, following the extraordinary case of malnutrition and measles in the district.
"Everything has been implemented well. For instance, clean water will be made available in August," the president added.
Measles epidemic and malnutrition in Asmat region during September 2017 to January 2018 period has killed more than 70 children.
During the visit, Jokowi, who was accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo; Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadi Moeljono; and Health Minister Nila F Moeloek, inspected some infrastructure projects, including bridge, clean water storage, and public housing.
Clean water storage has been developed in nine locations in Agats as well as other surrounding cities.
The ministry has also built healthy public housing in Agats city. People in Agats and Asmat traditionally build their houses above the swamp area using ironwood and mangrove.
Asmat district administration has built concrete bridges and wooden bridges around Agats city to connect the houses.
After the three-hour visit, Jokowi and his entourage departed to Sorong in West Papua Province to continue their two-day visit to the region.
Reported by Evarianus Supar
(S022/INE/B003)
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/B003)
Reporter: SYSTEM
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
