Alluding to the Lack of Arousing Stunting Programs, BKKBN: Collaborating with PTN and PTS Can Be Beneficial

Health workers measure the height of toddlers to check stunting at Posyandu Mekar Sari, Batang, Central Java. (Between-Harviyan P P)

AMBON - Deputy for Lalitbang for the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), Rizal Damanik, assessed that there should be many BKKBN programs in each urban district in Indonesia that can reach and raise public awareness.

According to him, the prevalence of stunting decreased by three per cent every year according to the central target. This can happen if cross-sectoral coordination runs smoothly with the creation of programs that excite the community.

"Make the program relaxed but serious so that it can increase community involvement, regarding the importance of routinely going to the Posyandu, for example, interspersed with cooking demonstrations, photo contests, and so on", said Rizal at the 'Pre-Regional Coordination Meeting' in Ambon, Wednesday 15 February, confiscated by Antara.

In addition, BKKBN in the regions can cooperate with state and private universities, especially in the field of nutrition. This is considered important to provide the latest innovations in reducing the prevalence of stunting.

"We have collaborated with State Universities (PTN) and Private Universities (PTS) throughout Indonesia, they should be put to good use", he said.

According to him, the problem of stunting is a long-term problem that affects Human Resources (HR).

If the acceleration of stunting reduction is not accompanied by innovation, it will have an impact on the nation's competitiveness in today's modern era

"Stunting begins when the egg is fertilized until the age of two, it will determine whether a person is black or white", he explained. Previously, based on the results of the Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI) of the Ministry of Health, the prevalence of stunting under five in Maluku reached 26.1 per cent in 2022.

This figure places Maluku Province in the 13th national ranking.

Even so, there are still districts in Maluku with a stunting prevalence that even reaches 41.6 per cent, namely South Buru.

Rizal said this would certainly become material for evaluation at the coordination meeting later.

"Later we will check whether the data collection is correct, whether the midwife also provides education or something like that", he said.