During a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the two main measures are: ensuring pregnant women take iron supplements (blood tablets) and providing additional nutrition to those with chronic energy deficiency.
While the government aims to provide iron supplements to 65 percent of pregnant women, only 15.5 percent have received them so far. Additionally, only 40.7 percent of pregnant women with chronic energy deficiency have received extra nutrition, well below the 84 percent target.
Sadikin stressed the importance of intervention during pregnancy, noting that 11 percent of stunting cases are found in babies aged 0–1 year.
"The critical period is between 6 and 24 months, when exclusive breastfeeding usually ends," he said. "After that, children must receive complementary food to meet their nutritional needs."
Data shows that without additional food after breastfeeding, stunting prevalence increases sharply from 11 percent to around 19–20 percent.
He emphasized that the first 1,000 days of life — from pregnancy to age two — are crucial for intervention.
Sadikin noted that only 30 percent of stunting reduction efforts fall under the Health Ministry’s scope, while the rest depend on collaboration with other institutions.
He expressed appreciation for all parties contributing to efforts that have helped lower the national stunting rate to below 20 percent.
"We have 11 ongoing programs, and their progress is monitored monthly at the provincial and municipal levels," he said.
The programs include anemia screening for teenage girls, antenatal care, complete immunization for infants, and initiatives to end open defecation.
Sadikin said that a stronger focus on pregnant women and children aged 0–24 months is key to making further progress.
The ministry also plans to coordinate with regional health offices to better support BGN in ensuring the nutritional content and safety of food.
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Reporter: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Anton Santoso
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