Around 70 percent of cases of stunted children are caused by sensitive factors, such as unhygienic home environments, poor sanitation, and lack of clean water, and do not have latrinesJakarta (ANTARA) - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) collaborated with the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) to provide training to village-affiliated non-commissioned officers (Babinsa) to help deal with stunting problems through sensitive interventions.
"Around 70 percent of cases of stunted children are caused by sensitive factors, such as unhygienic home environments, poor sanitation, and lack of clean water, and do not have latrines," BKKBN Head Hasto Wardoyo remarked here on Thursday.
On Wednesday (December 7) at the Indonesian Army Headquarters, the training was attended by 716 participants, who are facilitators in Military District Commands (Kodim) from 12 Military Regional Commands (Kodam).
The facilitators were trained to assist and train Babinsa officers in providing assistance to families at risk of stunting.
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Sensitive interventions include promoting a hygienic and healthy lifestyle.
"The sensitive factor contributes 70 percent to stunting (cases); (and children living in) a dirty home end up getting tuberculosis, then they have difficulty eating and do not gain weight," Wardoyo explained.
He expressed optimism that the training would strengthen the interventions provided to each at-risk family as well as the efforts made by the TNI-AD.
Wardoyo noted that one of the efforts by the Army is the construction of clean water sources and latrines in the Timor Tengah Selatan District in East Nusa Tenggara.
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"The Bapak Asuh Anak (Fathers for Stunting Children Movement) program, which was initiated by the Chief of Indonesian Army Staff, has a big influence on officials in the region," he remarked.
Chief of the Army Staff Dudung Abdurachman stressed that every soldier should be present in helping people to overcome difficulties.
"By learning from BKKBN, Babinsa will reach the community in remote areas to educate them, especially young people, who are going to marry to (undergo) health exam first," he stated.
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Translator: Hreeloita S, Kenzu
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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