The Unicef has reported that nearly 150,000 Indonesian children under five die of preventable diseases every year, a media reported here on Monday.

Edward Carwardine, the Head of Unicef's Communication and Partnership Cluster for Indonesia blamed that low awareness of basic preventable healthcare among economically weak and under- educated people, and a lack of basic health services and health facilities in a number of areas, especially in more remote parts of the archipelago, contributed to the alarmingly high number of deaths.

"The preventable diseases are closely related to personal and environmental healthcare," Carwardine was quoted by the Jakarta globe as saying.

The head of the Unicef noted that awareness of basic preventable healthcare among economically weak and under-educated people is still low.

Consequently, many children under five are susceptible to diseases caused by poor sanitation, such as diarrhea, dengue fever, and other communicable illnesses, he said.

"In fact, the diseases can be prevented if they have a good knowledge and awareness of healthy lifestyles," said Carwardine.

Unicef also said around 10,000 Indonesian women die due to complications following childbirth each year.