“We want to ensure that the poor, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups receive proper services,” Yusuf said during a dialogue with stakeholders at a Sekolah Rakyat here on Tuesday.
The choice of Sekolah Rakyat as the dialogue venue was considered strategic in bringing social welfare issues closer to the education community and grassroots society.
The discussion was triggered by a recent health screening of 7,409 students, which revealed that 52 percent required further medical attention at local health centers (puskesmas).
The data highlighted dental caries as the most prevalent issue, affecting 49 percent or 3,632 children.
Other alarming findings included low physical fitness levels among students (33.5 percent) and a high prevalence of anemia, affecting 1,396 students (26.6 percent).
According to the minister, educational institutions like Sekolah Rakyat play a crucial role as the frontline in detecting and addressing social issues faced by students.
Therefore, the central government is fully committed to supporting local initiatives that strengthen the role of schools as part of the social safety net.
This message underscores that tackling children’s health problems cannot be separated from the efforts to achieve comprehensive social welfare.
A concrete step following this dialogue is to ensure that the findings from the student health screenings are promptly followed up by nearby healthcare facilities.
Synergy between the government, communities, and educational institutions like Sekolah Rakyat is key to ensuring that the next generation in East Kalimantan can grow up healthy and prosperous.
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Translator: Ahmad, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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