Introductory Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at Limited Meeting on Acceleration in Stunting Reduction Wednesday, 5 August 2020 at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Distinguished Vice President,

Distinguished Ministers,

Although we are striving to fight against COVID-19, we must also accelerate stunting reduction which is included in the Government’s program. Based on data I received, there is a progress in the national prevalence of stunting which decreased from 37 percent in 2013 to 27.6 percent in 2019. There is indeed a decline, but it is still not good enough. We must accelerate stunting reduction to meet the target; I have instructed Minister of Health to lower stunting rate to 14 percent by 2024.

In this limited meeting, I would like to deliver several points of note.

First, we must focus to reduce stunting in 10 provinces with the highest prevalence of stunting. The provinces are among others, East Nusa Tenggara, West Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, Gorontalo, Aceh, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Southeast Sulawesi, and Central Sulawesi. On that matter, I urge the governors; Minister of Home Affairs can remind the governors, regents, mayors, and village heads in the 10 provinces to focus on stunting reduction.

Second, we must ensure that health services must always be provided to pregnant women and infants at Puskesmas (community health centers) and Posyandu (integrated health services post) despite the pandemic, including the distribution of supplementary food for pregnant women and vitamin A for breastfeeding women as well as weaning food.

Third, education and dissemination to pregnant women and the family must be intensified to deepen their understanding about stunting prevention. Once again, I want to involve the Family Welfare Movement (PKK), religious figures, prominent figures at neighborhood and community units, and volunteers. We expect this action can be a joint movement in the community.

Fourth, the efforts to reduce stunting rate must be coupled with the implementation of social protection programs, particularly the Aspiring Family Program (PKH), Non-cash Food Assistance, and the development of basic infrastructures for low income family.

And that concludes my remarks.

Translated by: Rany Anjany

Reviewed by : Lulu Wuliarti