Vice President: Accelerating Stunting Rate Reduction Needs Joint Commitment

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said accelerating the reduction in stunting rates requires a strong commitment from all parties, not only at the central level but also at the regional level.

He conveyed this at the National Stunting Forum which was held on Tuesday, December 14 - Wednesday, December 15 organized by the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) in collaboration with the Tanoto Foundation.

"Until 2021, all regents and mayors from 514 regencies/cities have signed a joint commitment to accelerate stunting reduction in the regions. This commitment must be maintained and its implementation has really proven in the regions," he said in an official statement, Wednesday, December 15.

In addition, collaboration from various parties is also the key to ensure convergence between programs down to the village level to reduce stunting rates.

“This effort cannot only be carried out by one institution, or only from elements of the central government. Efforts to reduce stunting require the involvement of all parties, including local and village governments, academics, media, private sector, non-governmental organizations, and development partners," he continued.

On the same occasion, Ma'ruf Amin hopes that holding the 2021 National Stunting Forum can build commitment from all stakeholders so that inputs and recommendations can be formed for the national action plan to accelerate stunting reduction.

Meanwhile, the Head of BKKBN DR. (HC) Dr. Hasto Wardoyo, Sp.OG (K) said his party is committed to achieving a reduction in stunting rates of up to 14 percent by 2024.

To support this commitment, the BKKBN has implemented several prevention strategies, one of which is the formation of a Family Assistance Team (TPK).

"Stunting starts from the family, the approach is through the family where the family companion team has 3 elements, namely from Health or Midwives, the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) Mobilization Team, and Cadres in the regions," said Hasto.

In addition, his party has also launched a Stunting Care Student (Important Student) program in the form of assistance to families at risk of stunting.

"The quality of human resources is determined from the first 1000 days of pregnancy, even if you live in an inappropriate place, there should be no stunting. The Important Student Program will be echoed to all universities, its reach will be broadly touching the community to remote areas of the country," he said.

Stunting occurs when a child fails to thrive in the first 1000 days of life due to chronic malnutrition and repeated infections. Stunting effects can affect children's physical development and brain development.

Stunting conditions will affect productivity in adulthood and increase the risk of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

According to Hasto, many women do not realize that they are pregnant or come to see a doctor when they have been pregnant for 3 months. In fact, continued Hasto, a critical period of pregnancy occurs when the fetus is before 56 days or about 8 weeks.

Hasto said the risk of stunting in toddlers is not only the responsibility of women, men also have to take a role by getting used to a healthy life 75 days before conception by reducing or stopping smoking. According to him, the quality sperm needed to fertilize the egg has been formed during that time.