…we use local food ingredients that are adapted to each region according to the availability of food ingredients.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Health Ministry has decided to provide local food ingredients instead of biscuits under the Additional Food (PMT) program to ensure easy access to the community.

"According to the new technical guidelines, we use local food ingredients that are adapted to each region according to the availability of food ingredients," the ministry's Director General of Public Health Maria Endang Sumiwi informed in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Based on the new technical guidelines, her party will provide local food ingredients as additional food under the PMT program, she explained. Meanwhile, biscuits will still be used specifically for toddlers, especially in emergency situations such as natural disasters.

Sumiwi said that for the PMT program, her party is also coordinating with health services across all districts/cities in Indonesia.

She also reminded all pregnant women to get checkups at community health centers (puskesmas) at least six times during their pregnancy.

During their first examination, they would be screened for nutritional status. Pregnant women will get PMT if they are classified as chronic energy deficient (KEK) with an arm circumference below 23.5 cm or a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5.

Meanwhile, toddlers must be brought to integrated health posts (posyandus) to be weighed and measured for height. If a child is malnourished, he or she will proceed to the puskesmas, she said.

“Sometimes, there are other diseases that must be checked first, then we can overcome the nutritional problem," she explained.

The Ministry of Health is targeting to reduce the stunting rate to 14 percent by 2024. The PTM program is expected to help the government in achieving the target.

Sumiwi said that the provision of PMT would be carried out at puskesmas across Indonesia in the near future through collaboration with puskesmas and the local district/city governments.

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Translator: Sean Filo M, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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