"The local governments should record the availability of ultrasound and anthropometric devices for handling stunting in the regions and propose to the Ministry of Health for follow-up procurement," Effendy stated here on Wednesday.
He explained that medical ultrasound devices play a crucial role in monitoring fetal development inside the womb.
Meanwhile, he highlighted the importance of anthropometric tools in improving the accuracy of toddler growth measurement results to early detect risks or signs of stunting.
"These tools are part of the supporting facilities and infrastructure to back efforts for accelerating stunting reduction," he remarked.
Currently, he explained that the Ministry of Health is striving to meet the need for anthropometric devices at integrated health posts and to fulfill the procurement of ultrasound devices at local health centers.
"Hence, coordination between the central and local governments is necessary to ensure that the need for these tools at integrated health posts and health centers can be met," he remarked.
Based on the Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI), Indonesia's stunting prevalence has dropped to 21.6 percent in 2022, from 24.4 percent in 2021.
"The government targets stunting prevalence to drop to 14 percent by 2024," Effendy noted.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is targeting to fulfill the need for 313,737 units of anthropometric devices at 303,416 integrated health posts by 2024.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin remarked that the procurement of anthropometric tools for all integrated health posts aims to improve the accuracy of toddler growth measurement results and to detect stunting cases early on.
"To standardize baby measurement, we use anthropometric tools at all health posts in Indonesia, where we can detect a delay in weight gain faster, so that chronic malnutrition that leads to stunting will not occur," Sadikin explained.
Related news: Collaboration on National Weighing Initiative crucial: Effendy
Related news: BKKBN pushes long-term contraceptive methods in Aceh
Related news: Govt launches National Monthly Weighing Movement to combat stunting
Translator: Wuryanti P, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
