"Stunting prevalence in Indonesia has decreased by 9.63 percent in the past five years, from 30.8 percent in 2018 to 21.5 percent in 2023, based on the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI)," he informed at the National Coordination Meeting for the Acceleration of Stunting Reduction in Jakarta.
Based on data from the Health Ministry, the prevalence of stunting in 2018 was recorded at 30.8 percent. It dropped to 27.7 percent in 2019. In 2020, the government did not take stunting prevalence measurements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, stunting prevalence was recorded at 24.4 percent, it then fell to 22.6 percent in 2022, and dropped further to 21.5 percent in 2023, based on the same data.
This year, the government collaborated to match SKI data with the results of simultaneous measurements conducted at all integrated health posts and recorded in the Electronic Community-Based Nutrition Recording and Reporting System (EPPGBM), with the temporary results reported to be 18.7 percent.
"We found a difference in the numbers. According to the 2023 SKI, the stunting prevalence was 21.5 percent, while based on the simultaneous EPPGBM last June with data 96 percent of the 17 million toddlers recorded, those who experience nutritional problems and prone to it is 18.7 percent," he disclosed.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the ideal stunting prevalence threshold is 20 percent.
"We will wait for the exact result. This September, the Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI) will conduct a survey. We need assistance from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) to ensure the exact data," Effendy informed.
According to the minister, the stunting reduction program in 2023 experienced a slowdown since the government evaluated and updated the target group data for all toddlers and pregnant women to ensure it was recorded accurately.
The effort was carried out so that interventions cover all target groups, he added.
"The data collection must be more accurate, both in terms of the number and status of the toddlers," he emphasized.
He said that the government is continuing to make efforts to reduce stunting on a massive scale, including by fulfilling the need for standardized anthropometric equipment at all integrated health posts and ultrasonography equipment for pregnant women at the health center level.
The government is also providing additional food for toddlers and pregnant women in all regions, Effendy added.
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Translator: Lintang Budiyanti P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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