Malnutrition In Jakarta Still High, DPRD Asks Provincial Government To Disburse Additional Budget For Posyandu Operations

PMI officers check children's nutrition/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

JAKARTA - Member of Commission E DPRD DKI Jakarta Idris Ahmad highlighted the high cases of malnutrition in Jakarta to date. According to Idris, the DKI Provincial Government must treat malnutrition from the start.

"Lately we continue to be overshadowed by cases of malnutrition which are still high in Jakarta. We must save our children with systematic treatment," said Idris in his statement, Thursday, May 19.

Idris also asked the DKI Provincial Government to disburse an additional budget in the form of operational assistance funds for integrated service posts (Posyandu) in the preparation of work plans for regional budgets for 2023.

This is because, according to Idris, the role of Posyandu is very important as a place for health care that is closest to the community.

"We both realize that the role of Posyandu as a health center is very important, but our support for them is still far from sufficient. Complaints about limited facilities and lack of incentives for Posyandu officers," said Idris. Idris continued, the lack of operational support made many posyandu who find it difficult to carry out their activities regularly so that the benefits are not maximal.

Moreover, according to him, the activation of posyandu can also help solve actual health problems that have occurred recently, such as malnutrition in children.

"If the posyandu cannot operate routinely due to limited facilities and staff, the benefits will not be maximized. By providing sufficient support, the work of the puskesmas and the Health Service will be easier because there is early detection in the environment," he added.