If the attempts are optimized, then they will offer a major contribution to accelerating a reduction in the number of stunting cases in Indonesia
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) Hasto Wardoyo stated that the stunting prevalence rates in four districts and cities in West Java Province were recorded at above 30 percent.

"No district or city in the province has a prevalence rate of below 10 percent. The region with the lowest stunting prevalence rate is Depok City, at 12.3 percent," he noted in a statement on Saturday.

According to the 2021 Indonesian Nutrition Status Study (SSGI), he noted that Cirebon City, Garut District, Cianjur District, and Bandung District were the four regions with prevalence rates of above 30 percent.

In addition, as many as 14 regions had recorded prevalence rates of 20-30 percent.

The regions include West Bandung District, Tasikmalaya City, Bogor District, Cirebon District, Bandung City, Tasikmalaya District, Sukabumi District, Banjar City, Majalengka District, Pangandaran District, Sumedang District, Bekasi District, Purwakarta District, and Karawang District.

Meanwhile, the prevalence rates in the remaining regions, comprising Cimahi City, Sukabumi City, Kuningan District, Subang District, Bogor City, Ciamis District, Indramayu District, Bekasi City, and Depok City, had reached 10-20 percent.

Hence, the BKKBN head remarked that the agency had deployed 37,184 family assistance teams (TPKs) to reduce incidents of stunting in babies born in the province.

Members of the assistance teams comprise midwives, Family Welfare Development (PKK) members, and family planning cadres.

Wardoyo stated that the TPKs can provide family development counselling, assist in social aid disbursal to the families, as well as detect risk factors of stunting in children early on.

Targets of the assistance teams include prospective brides, pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of five years.

In addition to deploying TPKs, the BKKBN head emphasized the importance of changing the mindset of people, who prefer to prepare for the prewedding event rather than give attention to preconception care.

"If the attempts are optimized, then they will offer a major contribution to accelerating a reduction in the number of stunting cases in Indonesia," he remarked.

Wardoyo noted that the number of TPK cadres totaled 111,552 people.

Meanwhile, head of Garut District Rudy Gunawan ensured that his side will align their stunting reduction programs in accordance with BKKBN's directives.

"The Garut district government is fully committed to forging synergy and cooperation for stunting reduction," he stated.

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Translator: Hreeloita Shanti, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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