"If Indonesian children have no access to clean water and good sanitation, they are at risk of stunting. This must be avoided. Hence, the government extensively pursue program to facilitate access to clean water and sanitation," Minister Hadimuljono said here on Sunday.
He also stated that the ministry consistently support stunting prevention programs by adding facilities to allow access to clean water and proper sanitation.
The infrastructures program —People-Based Clean Water and Sanitation Facility (Pamsimas) and People-based Sanitation (Sanimas)— are developed by one of the ministry's unit, the Directorate General for Human Settlement, he pointed out.
Their Public Infrastructure scheme aims to allocate budget for public infrastructures for people, down to village area and even remote places, and push for better economy and create more job opportunities, Hadimuljono added.
He cited letter from National Development Planning Ministry which outlines special scheme of stunting reduction measures in 2023 which is through clean water and sanitation infrastructures development applied across 246 districts and cities spread across 12 provinces.
Related news: Clean water, sanitation management help lowering stunting cases: BKKBN
In 2023 budget, as much as Rp 385.6 billion (US$25.6 million) is allocated gradually for the ministry's Pamsimas program that take place in 964 villages; whereas as much as Rp 661.5 billion (US$44 million) is for Local Waste Water Domestic Management System (SPALD-S), which takes place in 1,890 villages, he added.
Hadimuljono mentioned that the programs will contribute to the efforts to prevent stunting, as it offers indirect interventive measures through improved facilities.
The infrastructure programs which aim to build decent sanitation facilities is also coupled with efforts to promote a healthy, clean lifestyle, he added.
Clean water and sanitation development in a bid to tackle stunting issues is one of efforts outlined in National Priority Programs.
From 2018 to 2022, Pamsimas has been carried out in 1,781 locales, whereas Sanimas has been carried out in 4,099 locations.
Related news: Increasing clean water access, sanitation facilities reduce stunting
Translator: Aji Cakti, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
