"COVID-19 has a big contribution in delaying stunting eradication. Several regions such as East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have experienced a drastic increase in stunting cases," he told ANTARA during his visit to South Central Timor district, NTT, on Thursday with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
Although in the last two years, the country has succeeded in reducing stunting prevalence by 1.7 percent per year, COVID-19 has dealt a major blow to the Indonesian government’s efforts to prevent childhood stunting, he noted.
The pandemic has slowed the government's efforts for handling stunting in children, causing several districts/cities such as South Central Timor district, NTT, to experience a drastic increase in stunting cases.
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To achieve the 14-percent target by 2024, the government needs to reduce stunting prevalence by 3–3.5 percent per year. This means, with the average decline in prevalence rate that has now been achieved, the government only needs to add another 1.3 percent to ensure the rate of decline is consistent.
"By God's willing, with the hard work of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), ministries, and regional governments, we could achieve the target," Effendy remarked.
If the prevalence rate of 14 percent cannot be reduced partially, at least this figure can be achieved through the national aggregate since there are regencies and cities that still have stunting rates of 30 to more than 40 percent, he said.
In addition to maintaining the health protocols, Effendy asked all parties to collaborate to accelerate stunting eradication.
Muhadjir further said that his ministry and BKKBN will carry out the mandate of President Widodo to conduct interventions for families who are at risk of having stunted children, either through the provision of nutritious food, improvement of clean water and sanitation, as well as health monitoring, especially for the prospective brides and grooms.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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