"One of the priorities needed from regional governments in stunting reduction is a strong commitment and consistency of regional heads," the ministry's Deputy for the Coordination of Health Quality Improvement and Population Development, Agus Suprapto, stated here on Friday.
Suprapto explained that the government had set stunting as a national priority issue in the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), with a target of reducing the stunting prevalence, from 24.4 percent in 2021 to 14 percent by 2024.
The stunting reduction strategy has also been set in accordance with Presidential Regulation Number 72 of 2021 on Stunting Reduction Acceleration.
"The presidential regulation encourages several efforts that need to be made to reduce stunting prevalence, including increasing commitment and leadership vision related to stunting reduction programs in ministries or institutions, provincial governments, district or city governments, and village governments," he remarked.
He emphasized that regional governments should continue to strengthen the stunting reduction acceleration teams (TPPS) at the city, district, and village levels.
"The government continues to emphasize that every implementation of activities to accelerate stunting reduction must be right on target and be aimed at all levels of society, especially for families, who are at risk or vulnerable," he remarked.
Suprapto stated that the stunting reduction acceleration program must be implemented up to the village level, so that it can reach the target community.
"It needs strong commitment of all parties. It needs strong collaboration and synergy because the stunting reduction acceleration program needs the involvement of all parties, including regional governments, academicians, the media, private parties, non-governmental organizations, and development partners," he remarked.
In addition, he underlined the strategic role of families in the efforts to prevent stunting. Thus, it is essential to build the resilience of families in fulfilling the nutrition needs of pregnant women and children under five.
Related news: BRIN develops local food innovation to support stunting rate reduction
Related news: Egg-once-a-day campaign to prevent stunting: NFA
Related news: Village govts in Riau Islands asked to proactively prevent stunting
Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
