“This is since such data is (based on) reports. It means that number of actual cases could be far more than what meets eye,” she pointed out.
The minister reminded that efforts to safeguard children would be effective only if inter-sectoral institutions worked in tandem, which is in accordance with Law No. 35 of 2014 on child protection.
In addition to sexual abuse and violence, Indonesian children are also facing threat of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) highlighted trend of some 70 percent of children dying of COVID-19 being below six years of age.
“This is COVID-19 data on children collected until July 20, 2020,” IDAI Chairperson Dr Aman Bhakti Pulungan noted on July 23, 2020.
During period from March 17 to July 20, a total of 2,712 Indonesian children had tested positive for COVID-19, while 51 of them had succumbed to disease.
Moreover, number of children suspected of having contracted COVID-19 reached 7,633, of which 290 had died.
“Indeed, highest cause of mortality among children in Indonesia today is pneumonia. However, sadly, our COVID figure among children is higher than those of India, Myanmar, and Pakistan,” he pointed out.
In addition to applying health protocols, boosting children immunity is one of most effective ways to keep children healthy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has, however, caused a decline in people purchasing power, including to purchase food, as millions of people have lost their jobs.
Hence, government has ascertained that pregnant women and those in early childhood stage obtain adequate nutrition through disbursement of social aid under Family Hope Program (PKH).
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