"Husbands must be responsible for their pregnant wives and children. They must not be ignorant of their wives' condition, especially when they are pregnant and breastfeeding,"
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, has advised men to accompany their wives when they visit integrated health service posts (posyandu) for a pregnancy check-up or to measure their children's weight.

"I encourage the husbands to accompany (the wives) in order to know the condition of the baby inside the womb because by taking part then when there are needs for intervention, the husband can be involved," he explained here on Monday.

He made the statement after reviewing the implementation of simultaneous toddler weight/height measurements and interventions against stunting reduction at Villa Taman Kartini Posyandu in Margahayu village, Bekasi city, West Java.

He also emphasized that men need to ensure their wives meet adequate nutritional needs.

"Husbands must be responsible for their pregnant wives and children. They must not be ignorant of their wives' condition, especially when they are pregnant and breastfeeding," he said.

He also informed that currently, devices for measuring body weight and height have been distributed to posyandus across the country.

"In posyandus, there are anthropometric equipment, the weight and height measuring devices are the same, so the measurements will no longer be different," Effendy said.

He added that ultrasound (USG) machines have been provided at local health centers (puskesmas), and pregnant women can get a check-up at least once a month.

He then praised Villa Taman Kartini Posyandu in Margahayu village for successfully taking anthropometric measurements of all toddlers in the village.

"All children under five have been measured and weighed. This is a good example. If all posyandus in Indonesia run like this, I believe we can reduce stunting drastically, even below 14 percent," he added.

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Translator: Lintang P, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina
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