Posyandu And Puskesmas, Front Guard Government Monitor Stunting Prevention

JAKARTA - Posyandu and Puskesmas play an important role in efforts to prevent stunting in Indonesia. As a frontline, these two institutions ensure that the health of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers is still well monitored, especially ahead of the implementation of the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program which will start in January 2025.

Acting (Plt) Deputy III of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK), Nunung Nuryartono said, posyandu and puskesmas play a vital role as the spearhead of program implementation. With a total of around 300,000 Posyandu and 10,000 Puskesmas throughout Indonesia, these two institutions are the mainstays in monitoring public health status.

"Posyandu and Puskesmas are at the forefront of monitoring children under five, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers," he said at the Merdeka Barat Forum (FMB9) with the theme Eat Free Nutrition Solutions Press Stunting Rate', Monday 18 November.

Nunung also explained that the MBG program is a program with dual goals. In addition to reducing the previous stunting rate, this program is also expected to be able to prevent the emergence of new stunting cases.

This is a challenge that requires serious attention at various levels of government, including cross-sectoral cooperation. There is a very large target slice between the Bergizi Eating program and stunting prevention efforts. Therefore, synergy is needed so that everything runs effectively," he added.

One of the main steps in preventing stunting is to focus on intervention in the upstream part. Teenage girls are one of the priority groups in this intervention to ensure their health until they enter the phase of marriage and pregnancy. With a healthy body condition, it is hoped that the babies they give birth will also have optimal health and avoid the risk of stunting.

On the other hand, the government is also trying to ensure that public health data is used optimally. Data by name by address collected through Posyandu and Puskesmas is the basis for determining the appropriate priority areas and interventions.

In this way, the government can focus more on dealing with areas that have a high stunting rate. This strategy also involves the integration of local additional food programs that have been initiated by local governments.

"If the old stunting rate is successfully lowered, but new figures have not been handled, this will add to the greater burden," he said.

Therefore, stunting prevention efforts must be carried out holistically, ranging from education, monitoring, to providing proper nutrition interventions. In its implementation, the MBG program requires a strong synergy between ministries, institutions, and local governments.

The government is optimistic that with stronger collaboration between all parties, the target of reducing stunting rates can be achieved. The joint commitment from the central to regional levels, as well as the active role of Posyandu and Puskesmas, is the key to the success of this program.

"This program is very strategic. There are many inputs from various institutions that emphasize the importance of closely observing these stunting reduction programs," concluded Nunung.

With the start of the MGB program in early 2025, Indonesia hopes to create a healthier, smarter, and stunting-free future generation. A solid collaboration between all parties will not only help overcome the existing stunting but also prevent the emergence of new cases, thus having a positive impact on the quality of life of the community as a whole.