Our task is to ensure that the governmental transitions, both at the central and regional levels, will not hinder the efforts to expedite stunting alleviation.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The next Indonesian leaders elected in 2024 must continue to consider stunting alleviation as a priority program, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin emphasized on Friday.

"All leaders should ensure that stunting case alleviation will remain a priority after governmental transitions," he said during the 2023 National Coordination Meeting For Accelerating Stunting Alleviation at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

According to a report issued by the Ministry of Health, the government has been successful in suppressing the number of stunting cases from 30.8 percent in 2018 to 21.6 percent in 2022, he noted.

"This is a feat that we should be grateful for. However, we should not become complacent because we still need to achieve the target of lowering the stunting prevalence rate to 14 percent by 2024. So, we only have one year remaining," he pointed out.

During the meeting, Vice President Amin said that Indonesia will face even tougher challenges in its journey toward stunting alleviation, including the limited time available, difficult targets, and the political year of 2024.

"Our task is to ensure that the governmental transitions, both at the central and regional levels, will not hinder the efforts to expedite stunting alleviation," he stressed.

Amin further underscored the importance of central and regional leaders making a political commitment to support stunting alleviation efforts, adding that such commitments are essential to ensure that the central and regional governments mobilize the resources required for the cause.

All leaders will also need to take part in enhancing coordination on the field while formulating and implementing accurate programs.

"I believe that strong political commitments will lead us closer to the accomplishment of our targets, including the one related to stunting, by 2030, in accordance with the sustainable development goals," he elaborated.

Furthermore, VP Amin urged governors, district heads, mayors, and all regional governmental apparatus institutions to make all-out efforts to implement stunting alleviation programs in 2024.

Several ministers attended the coordination meeting, including Human Development and Cultural Affairs Coordinating Minister Muhadjir Effendy, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar, and Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian.

Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) Hasto Wardoyo; Chief of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Moeldoko; mayors; district heads; and representatives from state-owned and private enterprises also joined the meeting.

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Translator: Andi F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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