We expect everyone to take part as per each one's duty and function in order to address this issue togetherSorong, Southwest Papua (ANTARA) - Acting Governor of Southwest Papua Muhammad Musa'ad called for everyone to partake in efforts to reduce the stunting rate, which, to date, is still prevalent in that region.
Musa'ad, cited data from the 2022 National Nutritional Rate Survey (SSGI), said here on Monday that the province's rate of stunting among toddlers was recorded at 39.8 percent.
The figure is spread across six districts of Southwest Papua, with Sorong District's toddler stunting prevalence rate at 23.8 percent; Tambrauw District, 39.10 percent; South Sorong District, 36.7 percent; Maybrat District, 27.3 percent; Raja Ampat District, 31.1 percent; and Sorong City, 27.2 percent, he elaborated.
"We expect everyone to take part as per each one's duty and function in order to address this issue together. With regard to this aspect, we seek support and involvement from business players, public institutions, and public figures, to also be responsible in pushing down the stunting rate in each area," he elaborated.
Musa'ad stated that the key to reducing the province's stunting rate is for parents to actively monitor the children's nutritional intake.
He cited some data that pointed to the causes of stunting cases, which are not solely limited to a family's economic conditions. Some families are, in fact, well-off financially, but it turns out that their children have stunted growth, he stated.
"According to reports from the Family Welfare Initiative's team, both at the provincial and municipal levels, some of the children (toddlers with stunted growth) turned out to be from families with good financial capability. This is ironic," he noted.
The acting governor pressed for parents to be more aware of their children's nutritional intake during their period of development and reminded them that children are beings entrusted by God.
"If the parents do not care about children, we have sinned. It is the parents' obligation to give undivided attention to children's growth and development, so as to prevent their growth from being stunted," Musa'ad stressed.
The Southwest Papua Government allocated Rp20 billion (US$1.3 million) from their budget for stunting reduction initiatives spread across districts and cities.
The central government aims to reduce the national stunting rate to 14 percent by 2024.
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Translator: Yuvensius Lasa Banafu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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