Jokowi Asks Regional Governments To Jointly Share Stunting Rates 14 Percent In 2024

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) spoke at the Regional Head National Coordination Meeting and the Indonesian Regional Leadership Communication Forum in 2023, in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, Tuesday (17/1/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked local governments to jointly target a reduction in stunting rates by 14 percent by 2024. Fulfillment of maternal and baby nutrition is considered important to prevent stunting.

This was said by President Jokowi in his remarks at the Regional Head Coordination Meeting and the Indonesian Regional Leadership Communication Forum in Bogor, Tuesday, January 17.

He said, the stunting rate in Indonesia has continued to decline since 2014 which was 37 percent to 24 percent in 2021.

"I think 2022 is at 21 (percent) roughly. It has dropped indeed drastically. But our target in 2024 must be below 14 percent. It's not an easy thing," said Jokowi.

Although the stunting reduction target in 2024 is quite high, he believes this figure can be achieved if the government can work together with local governments. Jokowi said that the current high stunting rate must be watched out for.

This is because Indonesia will experience a demographic bonus in 2030-2035. Therefore, Indonesian human resources (HR) must also be in good condition.

"If our human resources are not in a good position so that they have good productivity, caution is not the profit we get, but yes will have a big burden on the state. So stunting must be a target for completion for the development of Indonesian human resources," Jokowi explained.

Jokowi explained that 23 percent of stunting contributors are the problem of babies who have not been born or are still in the womb. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of fulfilling nutrition in pregnant women. Then 37 percent of stunting contributors are babies after birth. According to Jokowi, settlement in this phase is more difficult.

I need to remind you during intervention during critical intervention, don't give foods called ultraprocesses, biscuits, instant porridge, be careful. This is a lot done, this is wrong, you know. Give yourself animal protein-proteins that are high in iron," said Jokowi.

In addition, he also asked the regions to remind puskesmas and posyandu to help prospective mothers and mothers who have toddlers. Jokowi also encourages the need to use technology or use application platforms to monitor the condition of the community.

The President then appreciated the efforts made by the Sumedang Regency Government which utilized technology platforms to monitor the stunting conditions of its people. The stunting rate in Sumedang Regency was recorded to have decreased drastically from 32 percent in 2019 to 7 percent in 2022.

Therefore, Jokowi also asked the Regent of Sumedang to help other regions reduce stunting rates.

"The application platform is very important to monitor them in what conditions," he said.