Central Bangka district head Algafry Rahman said in Koba on Friday that all stakeholders, including level II and III officials, have been roped in for the program. They will act as foster parents for the targeted children, he informed.
“Each foster parent will be responsible for covering the nutritional needs of a child at a minimum cost of Rp15 thousand per day. This approach is expected to help lower the stunting rate in the district,” he explained.
The district government has estimated that a budget of around Rp1.5 billion will be required over three months to address the needs of the 1,136 children. Rahman urged all parties to collaborate in achieving the stunting reduction target.
Meanwhile, chairperson of the Central Bangka Family Welfare Movement (TP PKK), Eva Pidia Algafry, said that stunting prevalence in the district increased in 2024 to 21.2 percent after recording a decline in 2023.
“In 2023, the stunting rate dropped by 3 percent, but in 2024, it rose again by 3 percent. Poverty levels have a significant impact on this issue,” she added.
She highlighted the low participation of residents in integrated health posts (posyandu) as a key challenge. Since 2021, she has visited 87 out of the 140 posyandu in Central Bangka.
“Immunization coverage has not met expectations. Out of 100 targeted infants and toddlers, only 30 attend posyandus. This affects child growth monitoring and increases the risk of stunting,” she said.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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