"We have a new program with the ministry. Everyone looking to get married must be examined first and not just be counseled. If they refuse, then they cannot get married," he told ANTARA here, Monday.
This checkup can come in the form of health examination, such as ideal weight for pregnancy and red blood level status, so that couples are healthy when they get married and are ready for pregnancy.
"If their HB (level) is lower than 11.5, then they should consume blood boost tablets first. Do not go for pregnancy. They can get married, but do not go for pregnancy first," he explained.
Stunting can also be prevented by adjusting the pregnancy interval to reduce the maternal and infant mortality rate, Wardoyo stated.
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Indonesia's maternal mortality rate is still the highest in Southeast Asia, so the government seeks to reach the maternal and infant mortality rate target in 2030 from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he remarked.
In addition to handling the pregnancy interval, he urged career women, already approaching 30 years of age, to immediately get married owing to the high risk for pregnancy at the age.
Moreover, he called on women to not get pregnant beyond 35 years of age.
"Do not have an interval of less than three years, and lastly, do not get pregnant too often. Two children is healthier," he noted.
Earlier, in March 2022, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas had collaborated with Wardoyo in unveiling Assistance, Counselling, and Health Examination within Three Months of Premarriage as an effort to prevent stunting from upstream to future couples.
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Translator: Fitra Ashari, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
