Government Asked To Provide PKMK To Effectively Handling Stunting In The Country

Netty Heryawan/DOK PHOTO VIA BETWEEN HO

JAKARTA - The government is asked to provide food for special medical purposes (PKMK) to deal with cases of malnutrition or stunting in the country.

It is known, PKMK is a high nutritional intake for children who have experienced stunting. This food is processed or specially formulated and can be given as a substitute or additional food.

"If it becomes a national priority, how can we reduce stunting if it is later said that stunting is not borne by the government and only intervenes through rebuttal efforts. PKMK is also one way to reduce stunting," said Member of Commission IX of the DPR from the Social Justice Party (PKS) faction Netty Prasetiyani Heryawan in a written statement, Tuesday, December 5.

Netty said the approach that focuses on preventing stunting and reducing stunting prevalence is a positive thing. However, for children who have experienced this condition, they should immediately receive treatment so that their condition can recover.

Executive Director of Habibie Institute Public Policy and Governance (HIPPG) Widya Aleksmanawati Habibie agreed with the encouragement. This is because PKMK is an effective nutrition intervention to reduce stunting or malnutrition.

That way, the implementation of PKMK must be accelerated and consistently carried out throughout Indonesia. "This policy must include an adequate budget allocation for training and strict monitoring of the implementation of programs in the field," said Widya.

"This step will help create a healthier and more prosperous future for Indonesian children while helping to achieve national targets to reduce stunting," he continued.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Maria Endang Sumiwi, admitted that the PKMK has not been charged to the government so far. The financing is still independent and must be carried out by child specialists.

"This condition makes the government work on National Formularium (Fornas) related to stunting," said Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Lucia Rizka Andalucia.

"We have discussed this in the National Forum which will be finalized in the near future. Including the inclusion of this PKMK," concluded Rizka.