This must all be done through mutual cooperation and mutual strengthening. The government cannot possibly reduce stunting aloneBanjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin reminded that efforts to accelerate stunting reduction necessitated convergence among programs and among related elements.
"This must all be done through mutual cooperation and mutual strengthening. The government cannot possibly reduce stunting alone," Amin remarked while reviewing the integrated health post (Posyandu) Kenanga here on Thursday.
To this end, the vice president urged related stakeholders in South Kalimantan to handle the problem of stunting together.
Amin also advised the Village Stunting Reduction Acceleration Team (TPPS) to coordinate with the Family Assistance Team (TPK) and Posyandu cadres and other teams.
According to the vice president, convergence is an approach to deliver interventions that are coordinated and integrated to prevent stunting in order to meet priority targets.
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Amin also urged universities, professional organizations, religious organizations, media, and the private sector to fulfill their corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations to provide concrete support in accelerating stunting reduction.
Amin, as the Steering Chair of the Central Stunting Reduction Acceleration Team (TPPS), gave full attention and support to the South Kalimantan provincial government to accelerate stunting reduction.
South Kalimantan Province is included in the 12 special priority provinces for stunting reduction. Based on data from the 2021 Indonesian nutritional status study (SSGI), the stunting prevalence rate in South Kalimantan Province was recorded at 30 percent, which was above the national figure of 24.4 percent.
The visit by the vice president and his spouse, Wury, to the Posyandu in August coincided with the Weighing, Measuring, and Vitamin A Month observed at the Posyandu.
World Breastfeeding Week was also commemorated on August 1-7 accompanied by the implementation of steps to weigh and measure child development to detect stunting early.
During this visit, the vice president and his wife also helped to orally administer vitamin A drops to a baby, in the company of its parents, who had visited the Posyandu.
Wury emphasized that vitamin A was important for toddlers for the development of their organs, body growth, cell division, and reproductive system health, as well as for supporting the immune system.
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"It has many functions, including maintaining eye health, strengthening the immune system, supporting fetal growth, maintaining bone health, and preventing measles," she added.
She also emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to the age of five months. During the first six months, babies only require breast milk without adding and/or replacing with other foods or beverages, including water.
Breast milk is a source of nutritional intake for newborns. This six-month period is a golden time for child development until the First 1000 Days of Life (HPK), she explained.
"I urge all of us, men and women, to support mothers to provide exclusive breastfeeding to their children perfectly," she affirmed.
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Translator: Firman, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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