Community Economy Declines Due To COVID Pandemic, 26 Toddlers From 6 RWs In Kartini Village Suffer From Stunting

Illustration-(Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the health of children under five in the Kartini Village area, Sawah Besar District, Central Jakarta. At least, 26 toddlers in the Kartini Village are currently still suffering from stunting or malnutrition.

The head of Kartini's village, Ati Mediana, explained that toddlers with stunting in their area are scattered in several RW points.

"Stunting toddlers exist in every RW, namely RW 01, RW 02, RW 04, RW 05, RW 07 and RW 09. (already) Almost spread, each RW is on average one (toddler)," said the Lurah, Thursday, 9. June.

The Lurah asked the Central Jakarta Health Sub-dept. to immediately take steps to tackle stunting in his area. "To overcome this, I really beg for health, because nutrition is a health sector," he said.

The Lurah explained that the high number of stunting for children under five in his area was strongly suspected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Probably because of the pandemic, parents because of the economic (factor)," he said.

In addition, Ati assessed that stunting could be caused by the toddler's innate nature. If the body is already thin, he continued, it could be due to genetics. Because the cause of stunting is because parents are lazy to cook so that the toddler's diet becomes bad.

"Currently 26 toddlers are stunted, previously there were 36 toddlers. This decline is because the toddler's nutrition has been improved, we will try to heal the toddler," he said.

Until now, the Kartini Village has continued to try to reduce stunting rates for toddlers by conducting inspections and providing nutritious food, milk and vegetables.

"Currently, toddlers affected by stunting have improved and their nutrition has been improved," he said.