The 14 percent target is the maximum and ambitious target, but we hope that it is achieved. But if not, we need to revise it...
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is ready to revise the stunting target if stunting prevalence is not lowered to 14 percent this year.

"The 14 percent target is the maximum and ambitious target, but we hope that it is achieved. But if not, we need to revise it, to become a goal in 2025, which is more realistic," Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, said at the Presidential Palace here on Thursday.

He emphasized that the target of reducing stunting prevalence to 14 percent this year is realistic considering that the stunting rate declined by 2.8 percent in 2022.

However, the decline in the stunting rate in 2023 was relatively small at 0.1 percent, as per a survey by the Indonesian Health System (SKI).

Therefore, Effendy said, the government is evaluating the reasons for the small decline.

According to an SKI survey, the stunting rate in Indonesia in 2023 was recorded at 21.5 percent, just 0.1 percent lower than 21.6 percent the previous year.

"In 2023, the decline (in the stunting rate) was only 0.1 percent; we will find out where the problem is. If it is a real figure, we will carry out more efforts," the minister said.

He emphasized that the government will not only refer to SKI survey data, but also use the Community-Based Nutrition Recording and Reporting Application (EPP-GBM) to increase the validity of data and real achievements of the stunting prevention program.

EPP-GBM is a community-based data recording and reporting mechanism that uses technology. The mechanism was implemented during the Toddler Weighing Month, which started in June 2024, at 330,881 integrated health posts (posyandus) in all regions simultaneously.

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Translator: Mentari G, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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