"In the last three months, we were able to reduce the stunting rate by 20 percent," Hartono remarked after attending a coordination meeting with Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin at the Jakarta City Hall, Monday.
He noted that as many as 36 thousand toddlers were declared to have nutritional problems and were prone to stunting. This figure is based on the results of examining 250 thousand toddlers based on height and weight in the stunting alleviation program.
According to the minister, those toddlers are at risk of stunting usually caused by malnutrition. Currently, some 21 thousand children with stunting in Jakarta are in need of treatment until they recover.
"Minister Sadikin is always looking for children, who are prone to stunting in Jakarta. Until now, there are 21 thousand stunted children in Jakarta. We must take care of them," he remarked.
Moreover, the minister noted that Jakarta's stunting rate continues to fluctuate, considering the massive population movement in the capital city.
On the same occasion, Sadikin said his side is planning to form a social collaboration movement to overcome stunting in 50 districts and cities in Indonesia through the Healthy Children Movement.
The districts and cities are spread across the five provinces of West Java, Central Java, East Java, Banten, and North Sumatra, with the highest number of stunting cases, and account for 51 percent of the cases nationwide.
Earlier, Hartono said that his side was still continuing to collect data on stunting cases.
"I asked related offices in Jakarta to keep looking for stunting cases. Do not be surprised if later, the stunting cases in Jakarta start increasing because we will always look for cases and treat them," he remarked.
Hartono noted that his side continues to look for toddlers experiencing stunting, and they would then be assisted to receive treatment.
Hartono stated that the provincial government routinely conducts meetings regarding stunting data every three months to handle the cases promptly and accurately.
"Meetings are held every three months. I ask the regional government ranks to routinely update the information regarding stunting as our effort to realize a healthy generation," he noted.
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Translator: Siti Nurhaliza, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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