Agenzia Fides

Jakarta (Agenzia Fides) - Approximately 150 000 children under five years of age die every year in Indonesia due to preventable diseases and more than 10 000 women die from postpartum complications. The latest research published by UNICEF highlighted this emergency, where high infant mortality rate is mainly due to lack of health care for the poorest and uneducated families. Many children die from diseases such as diarrhea and dengue fever, caused by unhygienic conditions in which they live. The phenomenon is particularly acute, especially in remote areas of Indonesia. To prevent many diseases and save many lives, a healthy lifestyle and basic sanitation would be sufficient. 240 million people live in Indonesia, among them 12.5% with less than a dollar a day. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 17/7/2012)