The deputy for coordination for health quality improvement and population development at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Agus Suprapto, said that the rate of stunting in Aceh reached 33.2 percent in 2021, making it one of the provinces with a fairly high prevalence of stunting in Indonesia.
"Aceh is (one of the) seven provinces with a high prevalence of stunting, and Aceh has the ability to be able to solve it," Suprapto remarked in Banda Aceh on Tuesday.
Based on data from the Indonesian Nutrition Status Study (SSGI) in 2021, there are 13 districts and cities in Aceh with a high rate of stunting.
An area can be considered as very concerning, or tagged as red, when it has a stunting prevalence above the 30-percent range. Several areas in Aceh, such as Gayo Lues, Subulussalam, and Bener Meriah districts, have prevalence rates of above 40 percent.
Stunting prevalence in Gayo Lues is 42.9 percent, the seventh-highest at the national level. Next are Pidie, North Aceh, East Aceh, Central Aceh, Southeast Aceh, Aceh Jaya, Southwest Aceh, Nagan Raya, Aceh Besar, and Aceh Tamiang.
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Meanwhile, 10 other regions have 20–30 percent stunting prevalence, including Aceh Singkil, Pidie Jaya, West Aceh, Lhokseumawe city, South Aceh, Simeulue, Langsa city, Bireuen, Sabang city, and Banda Aceh city.
Suprapto said that the National Action Plan for Stunting Reduction in Indonesia (RAN PASTI) has provided a reference to central and regional governments in the form of concrete steps that must be taken in a convergent, holistic, integrative, and quality manner to suppress stunting in children.
He further said that Aceh must converge all activities collaboratively to reduce stunting prevalence.
"I have seen that the leadership's commitment is good, the resources also exist, there is convergence; so now it's just a matter of the will to implement it," he remarked.
Suprapto said that all the aspects to meet the target are available—from the government's budget, infrastructure, and commitment. Therefore, he said he believed that Aceh can address the issue properly.
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Translator: Khalis Surry, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
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