Trenggalek Regency Government Targets Lower Stunting Cases Lower Than National Targets

The Minister of Health provides vitamins to children in preventing stunting (ANTARA)

TRENGGALEK - The Regency Government (Pemkab) of Trenggalek, East Java targets the stunting rate in the area to drop by 11 percent, lower than the national stunting rate of 14 percent.

"We are facing a period of the 2045 golden generation. So one of the focuses of the local government is to suppress or reduce it again as optimally as possible the stunting rate for the regions," said Trenggalek Deputy Regent, Syah Muhamad Natanegara when holding a stunting braking quoted by ANTARA, Thursday 9 March.

The stunting rembug, he continued, was part of the local government's efforts to accelerate the reduction in stunting rates on the Menak Sopal Earth.

Through this activity, his party hopes that the community involved in the activity can become a bridge of information to the public at large so that stunting cases can be minimized.

Through targeted discussions, it is hoped that the handling of children's growth and development failure can be more massive and optimal. Moreover, efforts to reduce the stunting rate are one of the concerns of President Joko Widodo.

"So this is a preventive effort. It is hoped that those who attend will become cadres indirectly so that what was socialized can be spread to the public. The prevalence rate for stunting is currently in the range of 19.5 percent, up slightly. Last year 18 percent," he said.

Deputy Regent Syah said that many factors made the prevalence rate increase by 1.5 percent.

One of these factors is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To suppress this, the government will intervene in convergence actions down to the lowest layer.

The convergence action carried out by the team to accelerate the reduction in stunting rates is believed to produce positive results.

Secretary of the Population Control Health Office and Family Planning Trenggalek, Sunarto said, the convergence action to the lower layers was considered effective in reducing stunting rates.

This is because all stakeholders are involved in reducing the stunting rate according to their respective capacities.

"To achieve the 11 percent stunting rate target far below the national target of 14 percent by 2024, it is impossible to do without the support of the community. Even though the government carries out convergence actions to the lowest levels of society, it will be difficult to realize the maximum without the overall awareness of the community," said Sunarto.

Representative of the East Java Province BKKBN, dr. Kasman, who was present at the stunting braking activity in Trenggalek, said that to prevent growth disorders in children, one of them needed to change people's behavior.

"There are some people who still think that exclusive asymptomatic is dirty. Even though this exclusive asymptomatic is actually special for the baby's growth and development. Culture or assumptions like this need to be educated," he said.

In addition, according to Kasman, stunting prevention must start from teenagers because they will get married and have a family. Then the bride and groom who will later have children. Then pregnant women, toddlers and also toddlers.