The participation of public and private universities, other related parties, stakeholders, provincial, district and city governments, is needed for reducing stunting rate by 2024Jambi (ANTARA) - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) of Jambi and eight universities have agreed to work together to bring down the stunting rate in the province.
The cooperation was initiated by the signing of an agreement between Jambi BKKBN and eight universities, which was witnessed by Jambi Deputy Governor Abdullah Sani, Jambi BKKBN representative head Munawar Ibrahim informed here on Thursday.
With the signing of the latest agreement, the Jambi BKKBN has cooperated with a total of 24 universities in the province, he said. Earlier, the agency had collaborated with 16 provincial universities, he added.
Universities that have implemented the Mahasiswa Peduli Stunting (Students Care About Stunting) program include the University of Jambi, Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi State Islamic University, Harapan Ibu Institute of Health Sciences, Nusantara Batanghari Islamic Institute, Garuda Putih Jambi Institute of Health Sciences, Jambi Health Ministry's Health Polytechnic, and Batanghari University, he informed.
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The BKKBN has prepared an action plan to accelerate the reduction of stunting prevalence, which includes strategic innovations such as providing assistance to families at risk of stunting, targeting prospective brides, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children aged 0–59 months, Ibrahim said.
The assistance is provided through community service by students in districts and cities in Jambi province under the Mahasiswa Peduli Stunting compulsory community work (KKN) program, he added.
Under the program, students are expected to educate and enhance families' skills in improving their health status through economic empowerment, nutrition fulfillment, parenting, and a healthy family environment, he explained.
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"The participation of public and private universities, other related parties, stakeholders, provincial, district and city governments, is needed for reducing stunting rate by 2024, and this is stated in the BKKBN Head Regulation Number 12 of 2021 concerning the National Action Plan (RAN) for the Acceleration of Indonesia's Stunting Rate Reduction in 2021–2024,” Ibrahim said.
According to Jambi Deputy Governor Abdullah Sani, strategic measures and the active participation of health workers, the community, and governments are essential to reduce the stunting rate.
"One of the efforts is the collaboration between the government, namely the BKKBN and universities through Mahasiswa Peduli Stunting. Hopefully, this program will help accelerate the reduction of stunting in Jambi province," he added.
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Translator: Nanang M, Dodi S, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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