"I express my gratitude to all relevant ministries and institutions who have been actively participating in pursuing the initiative," the minister remarked at the launch of the event here on Tuesday.
The efforts to reduce stunting prevalence are driven by one basic motive, he said.
"That the vision from President Joko Widodo on human resource development is taken care of from the upstream to downstream in the Indonesian human development cycle," he expounded.
The government is expecting that a systematic resolution from all aspects would support efforts to reduce stunting.
"I remember very clearly the first time President (Widodo) called me and swore me in as the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs; (at the time) he already stressed the importance of stunting reduction," he recalled.
Related news: Govt launches National Monthly Weighing Movement to combat stunting
He also said that the push for stunting reduction was born out of the need for thorough human resource development, with efforts covering upstream and downstream, so as to create superior people of good quality.
Effendy urged everyone to work together to pursue the President's goal of developing human resources, including through stunting reduction.
On Tuesday, the government launched the “National Integrated Monthly Weighing Initiative” to reduce stunting prevalence, address toddlers' growth issues due to prolonged lack of nutrition, and treat repeated infections.
The initiative is part of an effort to ensure the early detection of stunting in children, the minister noted.
According to the National Nutrition Survey Status, in 2022, the national stunting rate dropped to 21.6 percent from 24.4 percent in 2021.
“The government aims to reduce stunting prevalence to 14 percent by 2024," Effendy said.
Related news: Minister urges parents to weigh infants once a month
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Translator: Wuryanti P, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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