Vice President Ma'ruf Amin Asks Local Government To Re-Map The Stunting Reduction Acceleration Program

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge in efforts to accelerate stunting reduction. So, he asked the local government to immediately return to mapping the program in their respective regions.

This was conveyed by him at the opening of the 2021 National Coordination Meeting on Stunting Reduction: Moving Together to Accelerate Stunting Reduction, which was broadcast online.

"I ask that local governments can remap all programs, activities, and budgets related to accelerating decline in their regions," said Ma'ruf as shown on YouTube TP2AK Stunting, Monday, August 23.

This mapping is important so that it is known what programs are still running during the COVID-19 pandemic and which programs have not been evenly distributed and have stopped.

From the mapping, continued Ma'ruf, the local government is expected to be able to re-compile activity plans including optimizing funding sources. "So that all the services needed can be accepted by the target group," he said.

The former Rais Aam of PBNU also asked for the achievement of stunting handling for some time to be maintained. Moreover, over the last seven years, the stunting rate has been reduced from 37.2 percent in 2013 to 27.7 percent in 2019.

"This (rate) must be maintained to achieve the target of 14 percent by the end of 2024," said Ma'ruf.

Furthermore, he asked all parties without exception to continue to collaborate in order to accelerate the reduction of stunting. Collaboration, said Ma'ruf, is important because each ministry, institution, and local government has a role.

"Ministries/institutions in accordance with their respective main task and function, even Local Government Level I, Level II, to village governments also have various programs or activities related to stunting reduction," he said.

In addition, the role of regional heads to make stunting reduction a priority program is also needed because this is in line with the commitment of the central government.

"Your commitment is in line with the President and Vice President's commitment to accelerate the reduction in stunting prevalence to 14 percent by 2024. We all must be determined and work hard so that this target can be achieved," he concluded.