Parents should take their infants to a health facility to have their weight and height measured, Sustainable Development Expert Staff at the Ministry Agus Suprapto noted when contacted from here, Thursday.
Integrated health posts (posyandu) and public health centers (puskesmas) are examples of such health facilities where parents can get their infants' height and weight measurement done.
Parents should ensure that their infants' weight increase is based on the growth graph available in the Toward Health Card.
Suprapto emphasized the importance of conducting routine weight and height measurement to detect stunting early on.
"If your infant's weight is stagnant and does not increase after weighing twice, then we will find the cause of it to see whether it is because of their health or lack of consumption," he remarked.
After examination is conducted, further intervention will be undertaken, he noted.
"Thus, to make the stunting prevention and handling effort a success, parents should routinely bring their children to have their weight and height measured every month," he stated.
According to Suprapto, early detection of stunting is necessary to realize a golden and quality generation.
"Stunting prevention and handling is a priority program in supporting sustainable development," he noted.
The ministry urged everyone, specifically parents, to play an active role in the stunting prevention and handling efforts.
"The PMK Ministry, along with the Health Ministry and other related institutions, continue their efforts in intensifying the fulfillment of family nutrition, especially animal protein, to prevent stunting," he remarked.
Based on the Indonesia Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI), Indonesia's current stunting prevalence stood at 21.6 percent. Meanwhile, the government is aiming to reduce the stunting prevalence rate to 14 percent by 2024.
Related news: Pregnancy examinations important to prevent stunting: Ministry
Related news: Jakarta launches two-dose polio immunization program for infants
Related news: Early marriage can raise maternal, infant mortality: BKKBN
Translator: Wuryanti P, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
