"From the initial data, we had about 1,300 children, or 12 percent of the total number of toddlers, and not all of them have come for verification. Only about 800 children have been verified," Head of the Yogyakarta City Health Service Emma Rahmi Aryani stated in Yogyakarta, Monday.
Based on the results of initial verification involving pediatricians and the Zero Tuberculosis (TB) program, the stunting rate in Yogyakarta City is known to have reached 7.5 percent.
"However, we are still trying to ensure that all children included in the initial data will follow re-verification," Aryani stated.
She also seeks support from the region and the community to invite toddlers to come to the integrated health service post (posyandu) to conduct health checks and verify the stunting data.
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Toddlers confirmed to have stunting will be immediately referred to the community health center (puskesmas) and the hospital, she noted.
Aryani said the condition of toddlers indicated to have stunting would be seen from the data recorded on the healthy card (KMS), including the weight and motor skills development of toddlers.
"Usually, toddlers suffering from stunting have low body weight and often fall sick, with delayed brain development," Aryani remarked.
Hence, she reminded parents to regularly visit the posyandu and check the growth and development of their toddlers.
"If detected early, the treatment can be conducted easily," she stated.
In re-verifying the stunting toddler data, the Yogyakarta City Health Service also cooperates with Zero TB to ensure that toddlers are free from TB since the disease also affects their growth and development.
"If the indication is found to lead to TB, then therapy will be provided to prevent it," she stated.
She also noted that the overall stunting rate in Yogyakarta was better than the national target of 14 percent in 2024.
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Translator: Eka Arifa R, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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