Reducing Stunting Rates, Government Collaborates With Mining Companies

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif (photo: Maria Trisnawati/voi.id)

JAKARTA - The government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) cooperates with mining companies in order to fight stunting in Indonesia. The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif, said that stunting is a serious problem in Indonesia that requires attention and action from all parties.

The government and society continue to work together to reduce stunting rates and improve the health of children in Indonesia.

"This issue is not just a matter of the nation today, but concerns our future because the children are the next generation," said ESDM Minister Arifin Tasrif, quoted on Saturday, October 28.

This program is intended to help realize the Stunting-Free Indonesia program from the government in collaboration with mining companies in Indonesia as part of its social and environmental responsibilities. That way, a superior generation for Indonesia's future can be created.

"We have ordered mining companies to be involved in efforts to accelerate the reduction of national stunting in areas that still have a high stunting rate," said Arifin.

Stunting is one of the targets of the Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJM) of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia as stated in Presidential Regulation Number 72 of 2021 concerning the Acceleration of Stunting Reduction which adopts the National Stunting Acceleration Stunting Prevention Strategy 2018-2024, where the Government wants to reduce stunting prevalence by 14 percent in 2024.

"Currently, the prevalence of stunting until the end of 2022 is recorded at around 21.6 percent. This means that to achieve the target of 14 percent by 2024, we only have less than two years," said Arifin.

Stunting is caused by chronic malnutrition during the child's growth period, especially in the first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy to the age of 2. Stunting can also affect the development of the child's brain and cognitive, as well as increase the risk of chronic illness in adulthood.

"The understanding of the need for stunting must be understood by all people and the involvement of mothers and the world of education is a crucial step to achieve the goal of Stunting-Free Indonesia," said Arifin.

In line with Arifin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & President Director of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk., Febriany Eddy hopes that efforts to reduce stunting and a healthy lifestyle can continue to be improved in Indonesia. PT Vale Indonesia is ready to collaborate with all parties in various stunting efforts.

"This program is in line with PT Vale Indonesia, which is to help bring benefits in improving the quality of human life," he concluded.