"There are only two and a half years left. However, I am optimistic that it would be achieved, as stunting in this area is the second lowest in Indonesia," Wardoyo noted in Batam on Wednesday.
The BKKBN head remarked that the current stunting prevalence rate in Batam had reached 16.2 percent, and it was ranked second after Bali, at 11 percent.
Wardoyo admitted to being more optimistic after seeing the strong cooperation by both the regional government and stakeholders to suppress the stunting rate as targeted by the government.
Students from universities were also dispatched to provide assistance as well as expedite information to pregnant women, couples about to wed, and couples of childbearing age.
"The deputy mayor said that 27 universities have signed an MoU with us to eradicate stunting," he noted.
Wardoyo also urged the regional government to always monitor and prevent early marriages in children in order to suppress the risk of stunting, which could reduce the quality of human resources.
The agency head expects Batam City to serve as an example, as it was backed up by enthusiasm from all stakeholders, and other cities could take a cue from it.
"I am optimistic that Riau Islands, especially Batam City, would become a role model for reducing stunting in Indonesia. I think it is going to work out well," he added.
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Translator: Hreeloita D S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
