If the environment is left dirty, without latrines, its contribution is 75 percent to become a factor that causes stuntingMedan, North Sumatra (ANTARA) - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) stated that an unclean environment was a factor that contributed 75 percent to stunting among children.
"If the environment is left dirty, without latrines, its contribution is 75 percent to become a factor that causes stunting," Head of BKKBN Hasto Wardoyo stated when met by ANTARA in Belawan Sub-district here on Thursday.
Wardoyo noted that slum environments, such as in the Bagan Deli Village, Medan Belawan Sub-district, Medan City, could make children susceptible to diseases.
Repeated incidents of tidal flooding made the environmental situation perilous for children, as floods can carry along garbage or feces containing E-coli bacteria and spread them around people's houses.
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Due to E-coli, children can likely suffer from diarrhea. Children, who are constantly sick, are at risk of stunting due to weight loss. In addition, children are at risk of contracting skin diseases.
The BKKBN, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), strives to create livable environments by renovating houses in the area to prevent unclean water from inundating the community's houses.
Through its 2021 Family Data Collection (PK21), the BKKBN provides data on families with pregnant women and families at risk of stunting to the Ministry of PUPR to be prioritized in the house renovation program.
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Moreover, the BKKBN innovates to correct nutritional deficiencies among stunted children along with working on their height and weight through the Foster Fathers for Stunted Children Program, which has successfully involved other government institutions, such as the Indonesian Military (TNI), and enterprises, such as state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina.
If the government is unable to significantly reduce the prevalence of stunting until the end of 2022, it is at least making all-out efforts to prevent the birth of new stunted children through the creation of clean and livable environments and ensuring nutritional correction, according to the BKKBN head.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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