BKKBN Strategy To Suppress Stunting In South Sulawesi By Expanding Supporting Teams

Illustration/Photo: Antara

MAKASSAR - The South Sulawesi National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN Sulsel) seeks to overcome stunting by increasing the capacity of human resources (HR) companions.

"The target is to reduce the stunting prevalence rate to 14 percent in 2024, a number of efforts have been made by the BKKBN, one of which is by strengthening the capacity of the Family Assistance Team (TPK) that has been formed throughout Indonesia," said Head of the South Sulawesi BKKBN Hj Andi Rita Mariani, in Makassar, Monday April 5th.

In this regard, he said, the BKKBN held a Training of Trainers (ToT) which was carried out by the BKKBN Education and Training Center (Pusdiklat) virtually on Monday.

He said, it is hoped that the knowledge of the Family Assistance Team can increase, especially in providing understanding and education on health and child nutrition patterns for families.

Head of the BKKBN Education and Training Center Lalu Makhripuddin, after opening the activity, said that TPK facilitators consisting of the provincial BKKBN, family planning extension workers, IBI, and PKK were expected to be extensions in disseminating information and materials to TPKs in the regions in carrying out their duties and functions.

Meanwhile, Andi Rita said that stunting is a cross-sectoral problem and its handling must also be done collaboratively involving cross-sectors as well, this is illustrated by the Family Assistance Team.

Andi Rita explained that after the ToT of the TPK Facilitator Team, there would be training for 20,046 TPK throughout South Sulawesi according to instructions from the BKKBN Education and Training Center.

"The Family Assistance Team or TPK will later be tasked with providing education, socialization, and screening for stunting prevention to four target groups, namely prospective brides, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers, especially children under two years old," said Andi Rita as quoted by Antara.

According to Andi Rita, these four target groups are the groups most at risk for stunting.

The Family Assistance Team will later be tasked with collecting data and providing assistance to this target group.

TPK is also tasked with facilitating target groups to obtain referral services and providing social assistance as an effort to improve the health and welfare of families," said Andi Rita again.

He said that stunting was caused by chronic malnutrition which hampered the growth of the body and brain.

Therefore, the presence of TPK can increase family awareness and awareness of the risk of stunting in children, so that anticipatory steps can be taken, minimizing and preventing stunting.