Ministry Of Health Changeszides With Local Food Materials In PMT Program

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has replaced the biscuits used for the previous Additional Food Supply (PMT) program as local food so that it is easy for the public to get.

"According to the new technical instructions, we use local food ingredients that are adjusted to their respective regions according to the availability of foodstuffs," said Director General of Public Health (Dirjen Kesmas) of the Ministry of Health Maria Endang Sumiwi as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 17.

Maria said that based on the new technical instructions, her party would use local food as additional food provided to the PMT program. Meanwhile, biscuits are still used to toddlers specifically, especially in emergency situations such as natural disasters.

He said that in handling the PMT program, his party also coordinated with health centers in all regencies/cities in Indonesia.

"All pregnant women must carry out pregnancy checks at least six times at the puskesmas," he said.

Maria explained that in the first examination, her nutritional status will be screened. If pregnant women are included in the chronic energy shortage (SEZ) group with an arm circumference below 23.5 cm or a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5, they will get PMT.

Meanwhile, in toddlers, he continued, all must come to the posyandu to be weighed and measured for height. If a malnourished toddler is found, it will be continued to the puskesmas first.

"Sometimes there are other diseases to check first, so that diseases can be treated and nutritional problems can be overcome," he said.

The Ministry of Health targets the stunting rate to be reduced to 14 percent by 2024. This program is expected to reduce the stunting rate in Indonesia.

The plan, PMT for this group, can be carried out in all puskesmas in Indonesia in the near future through collaboration with the puskesmas and local district/city governments.