Govt Aims to Formulate Integrated Program to Reduce Stunting Cases
The atmosphere of preparation ahead of the Limited Cabinet Meeting on Stunting, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Thursday (5/4). (Photo by: Jay/Public Relations)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that stunting or failure to grow is a major threat to the quality and ability of human competitiveness in Indonesia.
Stunted children, the President said, does not only impair physical growth of children for his age, but also interrupt their brain development, which will affect the ability in lesson absorbing and achievement in school as well as productivity and creativity in productive ages.
Therefore, President Jokowi stressed that efforts to lower stunting rate is a collective work that must involve all elements of society.
We need to optimally re-activate the functions of Posyandu (Integrated Health Post) and Family Welfare Movement (PKK) in villages, President Jokowi in his remarks at the Limited Cabinet Meeting on Stunting Reduction, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Thursday (5/4).
On that occasion, President Jokowi also ordered his Cabinet to formulate a more concerted and integrated action plan that will bring a real impact for the surroundings, starting from dietary intervention and parenting to sanitation.
According to the President, the Government for three years has distributed biscuits for pregnant women and toddlers but the President considers that is not enough and needs to be complemented by fish, milk, eggs, and green beans.
In addition, we must give more attention to basic sanitation services such clean water supply and also bathing/washing/toilet centers as well, the President said, adding that the Government should also be more intensive in educating the public with the Healthy Living Movement so that the children will grow at healthy environment.
For the record, Indonesian Ministry of Health in 2014 found that 28.9 percent of children in Indonesia under 5 years old were stunted. The figure increased in 2015 to 29 percent but decreased in 2016 to 27.5 percent, but it increased again to 29.6 percent in 2017.
Attending the Meeting were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Minister of Health Nila F. Moeloek, Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection Yohana S. Yembise, Minister of Marine and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti, Minister of Villages, Underdeveloped Regions, and Transmigration Eko Sandjojo, Minister of National Development Planning/Head of National Development Planning Agency Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita, dan Minister of the Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya. (FID/MRA/ES) (GWH/EP/Naster)
