"The implementation of specific and sensitive interventions must be right on target," the ministry's deputy for the coordination of health quality improvement and population development, Agus Suprapto, said when contacted on Tuesday.
As per Presidential Regulation Number 72 of 2021 on stunting reduction acceleration, specific nutritional interventions cover activities that are carried out to tackle the direct causes of stunting, he explained.
"For example, among under-five children, (they) are exclusive breastfeeding, supplementary feeding, vitamin A supplementation, micronutrient supplementation, and zinc and iron supplementation," he said.
Meanwhile, sensitive nutritional interventions cover activities that are carried out to tackle the indirect causes of stunting.
"For example, prevention and treatment of sick under-five children, management of cases of moderate and severe acute malnutrition, provision of water and sanitation, (and) administration of deworming drugs," he informed.
To support stunting reduction acceleration, it is necessary to collect data related to hindrances and problems faced in implementing specific and sensitive interventions, he said.
"For example, in specific interventions, it is necessary to collect data regarding whether the consumption of iron supplements among pregnant women is still low, whether there are regional policies that support exclusive breastfeeding, whether service improvements at integrated health posts (posyandus) have been optimized and so on," he expounded.
Then, during the implementation of sensitive interventions, it is necessary to collect data on whether access to drinking water and sanitation is already optimal and whether the families that are at risk of stunting have received social assistance, among other things.
Through data collection, efforts to tackle problems that may arise in the field can be carried out right on target.
"Thus, the implementation of specific and sensitive nutritional interventions will run maximally to support the acceleration of stunting prevalence reduction," he said.
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Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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