Gov’t to Reduce Country’s Stunting Rate to 14% by 2024

President Jokowi, accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and Head of BKKBN Hasto Wardoyo, attends the Opening of the National Coordination Meeting of the Bangga Kencana Partnership Program from the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (28/1). (Photo by: PR/Jay)

The Indonesian Government has announced that it aims to accelerate efforts to reduce the country’s stunting rate to 14% by 2024.

“Our target is to reduce it to 14% by 2024. It is not easy, but I believe if the field management is proper, this figure is not difficult,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said at the Opening of the National Coordination Meeting of the Bangga Kencana Partnership Program from the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (28/1).

To accelerate efforts to reduce the prevalence of stunting, the President has assigned Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) to be the chief executive.

BKKBN, the President said, has the organizational infrastructure to the regional level. BKKBN will also be assisted by related ministries and institutions.

“BKKBN is in control of stunting prevention from now on. Once again, the activities will be coordinated by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture and Head of BKKBN acts as Chief Executive,” the President said.

The prevalence of stunting in Indonesia in 2014 stood at 37% and was successfully reduced to 27.6% in 2019. However, this figure is estimated to have slightly increased in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Jokowi expressed hope that the targets set for 2024 can be properly realized by BKKBN through several programs.

In his report, Head of BKKBN Hasto Wardoyo stated that BKKBN is ready to support President Joko Widodo’s vision of preventing and reducing the prevalence of stunting and forming quality, happy, and prosperous Indonesian families.

“God willing, we, BKKBN and all the ranks are ready to carry out the mandate given by the President. We are, supported by family planning extension workers in the village and also family planning cadres in all regions of Indonesia, ready to reduce the stunting rate to 14% by 2024,” Hasto said.

BKKBN is also committed to strengthening the commitment and role of regional governments and BKKBN partners in improving access and quality of services as well as promoting the family planning establishment Bangga Kencana Program, including accelerating stunting reduction. (FID/UN) (FI/LW)