Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - A total 100 pregnant women from underprivileged families in Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan, received a nutritious food program to prevent giving birth to stunted children.
Assistant II for Economy and Development M Taufik Rivani here on Wednesday expressed his appreciation for the program carried out by the National Alms Agency (Baznas) of the city.
"This program for assisting pregnant women is a real concrete step in overcoming stunting im the city. BAZNAS has proved that zakat can be a solution to this problem," he said.
This program, he continued, can be implemented in a targeted and sustainable manner, with the spirit of gotong-royong or mutual cooperation and sincerity in serving the public.
"Synergy between the City Government of Banjarmasin and BAZNAS must be maintained and strengthened. Hopefully this step will inspire similar institutions in supporting the vision of advanced and prosperous Banjarmasin," he said.
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Head of BAZNAS of Banjarmasin Office Riduan Masykur said the nutritious food program and assistance program for pregnant women has been three years running by the organization.
"Every year the number of pregnant women we accompany and provide with nutritious food is increasing," he said.
He explained that pregnant women who received this program are underprivileged families who were verified direclty in the field.
"Currently 100 pregnant women from five sub-district (who receive), we collaborate with the Banjarmasin Office of Religious Affairs Ministry (Kemenag) and the city's Women Empowerment Office," he said.
"We provide the nutritious food intake for six months to prevent the birth of stunted babies," he said.
Even when giving birth, said Riduan, a delivery fund of Rp1.5 million is given per person. "Until their child is born and given the name, we help with the thankgiving event," he said.
The program of the BAZNAS office of Banjarmasin has been running for the past three years. More than 300 pregnant women have been helped, all of whom were able to sfely give birth and have healthy babies.
"Hopefuly this year will be the same," he said.
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