Amich Alhumami, deputy for human, community, and cultural development at the Ministry of National Development Planning, said on Saturday that the target for this year is to reduce the figure to 18.8 percent.
In 2023, the prevalence was recorded at 21.5 percent, a slight decline from 21.6 percent in 2022. The figure for 2024 is expected to be revealed this month.
"For the next five years, we will aim for an annual decline of 1.5 to 2 percentage points. Thus, the end goal is to reduce it from 18.8 percent to 14.2 percent," he stated during a retreat organized for officials of his ministry and the Ministry of Population and Family Development.
In his speech, Alhumami described the government's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program as a strategy for alleviating stunting.
"The government is investing in the Free Nutritious Meals program, which aims to prevent stunting by targeting pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers," he pointed out.
On the same occasion, Minister of Population and Family Planning Wihaji highlighted the importance of leveraging the program to meet the nutritional needs of children, especially during the first 1,000 days of life.
"It should be noted that the program is one of several initiatives aimed at preventing stunting," he added.
He said that his ministry has formed family support teams ready to assist the National Nutrition Agency in carrying out crucial tasks mandated by President Prabowo Subianto.
Budi Setiyono, secretary of the Ministry of Population and Family Planning, described the MBG program as the government's social protection instrument, aimed at elevating the quality of people's lives.
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Translator: Lintang B, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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