"If the rate is 14 percent, then there are still 110 thousand toddlers with stunting in Jakarta. Therefore, it is normal if we have 19 malnourished children in Pejaten, South Jakarta," Head of BKKBN Hasto Wardoyo stated in Jakarta on Thursday.
The BKKBN data showed that Jakarta Province has at least around 790 thousand children under the age of five. However, the stunting prevalence rate showed 14 percent, or around 110 thousand of them suffering from stunting.
Although Jakarta is the second area with the lowest stunting prevalence rate after Bali, his team found 19 children suffering from malnutrition and co-morbidities in Pejaten Barat Village, South Jakarta.
This discovery was based on the identification results of officials of urban villages and the community health center (puskesmas) at Pejaten Barat in September 2022.
According to Wardoyo, the finding of stunting cases is normal, as all provinces are still grappling to suppress stunting.
He noted that the stunting prevalence in Jakarta was still considered quite good and not included in the high category, such as West Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Papua, and Aceh.
Regarding the findings of the 19 stunted children in Jakarta, Wardoyo plans to soon meet with Jakarta Acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono to provide assistance to the family concerned.
"I will convey this matter to Acting Governor Hartono. So far, Jakarta has not followed the BKKBN data collection system, but they have their own database," Wardoyo stated.
He suggested that the Foster Fathers Program for Stunting Children (BAAS) can also help prevent children from stunting in Jakarta, where donors can provide assistance to conduct nutritional interventions for children at risk of stunting.
Later, the Team for the Acceleration of Stunting Reduction (TPPS) and the Stunting Task Force will receive, organize, and process data on children at risk of stunting in the area to be able to receive assistance.
“In Jakarta, there are many entrepreneurs, many people who live well. My hope is that the BAAS program can be successful in Jakarta and will quickly reduce stunting and extreme poverty," Wardoyo said.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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