"To achieve the target, Indonesia needs to reduce the stunting rate by 2.7 to 3 percent annually from 2022 to 2024," BKKBN deputy for training, research, and development at BKKBN, Muhammad Rizal Martua Damanik, said at the 'Ambassador Talks' webinar with the Mozambique Embassy to Indonesia on Thursday.
Reducing the rate by 3 percent per year will not be easy work, he informed. This is due to the risk factors that have led to continued stunting, such as the high number of cases of mothers suffering from anemia, he explained.
Based on Riskesdas data in 2018, as many as 593 thousand females were in an anemic condition between the ages of 10 to 19 years, he said. As a result, 192 thousand babies were born with low body weight and a body length of under 48 cm, he added.
Such babies face a 1.74 times higher risk of stunting compared to babies born normally, he informed.
The stunting rate has also soared due to premature births, Damanik said. For example, the 2010 Population Census data pegged the number of babies born prematurely at 675 thousand.
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“Factors that increase the risk of stunting are still high. Such as premature babies with 675 thousand cases," he informed.
Babies born at less than 24 months face a 1.5 times greater risk of stunting and 1.9 times greater risk of autism disorder, he said.
Furthermore, as many as 505 thousand women are married at an early age, namely, at the age of 10 to 19 years, he pointed out.
Although the stunting rate in Indonesia is quite alarming, Damanik said he is optimistic that BKKBN will be able to reduce the stunting rate in Indonesia with support and assistance from various parties.
He said he hopes that the stunting rate of 14 percent can actually be realized in 2024.
“This target is possible as long as all parties have high commitment. With good coordination, high commitment, good organization, and taking concrete actions, we can accelerate stunting reduction in Indonesia," he added. (
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Translator: Hreeloita D, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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