"Stunting case audits have strengthened the practice of data sharing on the field," BKKBN head Hasto Wardoyo noted at the kick-off event of “Stunting Case Audits,” which was followed online on Wednesday.
There are several things that have become a concern during stunting case audits, the first being the need to increase audits, which are one of the priority activities of the National Action Plan for Stunting Reduction Acceleration (RAN PASTI), he informed.
Based on the Morena application, as of January 6, 2023, the realization of stunting case audits still needs to be increased because it has only reached 76 percent in total, with broad variations between districts and cities.
The second issue is related to the technical instructions for the use of the Family Planning Operational Assistance (BOKB) funds, which still need to be maximally absorbed by the BKKBN representative offices in regions.
The third issue is that the aim of stunting audits is to determine the main causes of stunting risks; however, they are focused on future brides, pregnant women, postpartum mothers, under-two children, and under-five children.
Another thing that must become a concern in stunting audits is that layered coordination must continue to be built and strengthened, which must include central, regional, and village governments.
Wardoyo said that stunting audits could integrate well with the Foster Fathers for Stunted Children (BAAS) program.
Another area of focus must be the stunting reduction acceleration task forces formed by the BKKBN, which serve as facilitators for various strategic activities, including stunting case audits, he added.
Evaluation is the most important step in carrying out stunting case audits in order to take advanced follow-up actions, he said.
According to him, the benefits of stunting case audits must return to shifting audit risk status and even strengthening the guidelines for assisting families that are at risk of stunting.
"Joint attention and commitment are needed to prepare everything seriously. Coordinate with related parties, including expert teams, so that the 2023 stunting case audit calendar can be carried out," he said.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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