Public, Stakeholders Should Join Hands to Tackle Stunting, Minister Says

Puan Maharani opens Workshop on Food and Nutrition Year 2018 at Bidakara Hotel, Jakarta, Tuesday (3/7). (Photo: PR Division of Minitry of Human Development and Culture)

The public and related stakeholders need to be involved to tackle stunting, an improper growth caused by malnutrition, according to Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani.

“Indonesia is one of the countries that have not met the target of MDGs 1.2 related to proportion of population with calorie intake below minimum consumption level. So, cooperation between all stakeholders is needed to achieve the target,” Puan said during the opening of the 2018 National Food and Nutrition Workshop at Bidakara Hotel in South Jakarta, Tuesday (3/7).

According to her, malnutrition and stunting remain a major problem in Indonesia which need to be addressed immediately. She also reminded that stunting does not only delay children’s growth and development, but can affect their intelligence development which can lead to susceptibility to infectious diseases and decreased productivity in adulthood.

This year, she added, the Government has implemented an integrated stunting reduction program focused in 100 regencies cities and next year the policy will be continued to 160 regencies/cities including those in Papua and East Nusa Tenggara provinces. In 2020 the program will be implemented in 390 districts/cities, while in 2021 the program will be launched in 514 districts/cities, she added.

On that occasion, Puan also stressed that the integrated stunting reduction program should be done at all levels, starting from the Central Government, regional governments, as well as in villages. “Stunting is not only a health issue; it is also related to access to nutritious food, basic health services, clean water and sanitation, as well as parenting style,” Puan said.

Therefore, the Minister welcomed the 2018 Workshop on Food and Nutrition Event, which focuses on accelerating measures to reduce and prevent stunting through revitalization of food security and nutrition to achieve sustainable development goals.

“This is a cross-stakeholder forum that can play a strategic role to synchronize various food and nutrition programs and policies from different perspectives,” Puan said, adding that the event is also expected to raise public awareness about the importance of tackling stunting.

“Once again, the Government is not the only one responsible for tackling stunting. In fact, we need collaboration from all stakeholders,” Puan concluded.

Also attending the event were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Minister of Health Nika F Moeloek, Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education M Natsir, and Head of the National Development Planning Agency Bambang Brodjonegoro. (PR Division of Ministry of Human Development and Culture/ES) (STU/EP/Naster)