“Based on the latest community-based nutrition reporting system (e-PPGBM) in June, the stunting rate in Mataram City stood at 6.7 percent, or 1,514 cases,” said Mataram Health Office Head Emirald Isfihan in Mataram on Friday.
He noted that the figure had declined from 7.6 percent, or about 1,900 cases, recorded earlier.
To achieve the five percent target by 2025, he emphasized that convergence efforts are essential since stunting is triggered by multiple factors.
These include not only poor nutrition and health but also economic conditions, parenting patterns, and environmental aspects.
Through convergence, stunting prevention and treatment can be carried out with a combined approach involving both specific and sensitive nutrition interventions, along with active participation from multiple stakeholders to ensure effective access to nutrition programs for target families.
According to Emirald, the Health Office is focusing on specific interventions such as providing supplementary food, milk, and protein-rich supplements.
These additional supplements are designed to accelerate child growth while addressing challenges faced by parents of stunted children who struggle to get their children to eat.
“Some children with certain characteristics refuse to eat at all, even in small portions. That is why we provide supplements in flavors children enjoy to encourage them to eat,” he said.
Evaluation has shown that with the addition of supplements, results that typically take three months can now be seen within two months.
He added that the foster parent program for stunted toddlers is also still ongoing. The initiative is part of the broader convergence effort, involving government institutions as well as private organizations.
For sensitive interventions, Emirald said prevention measures are carried out upstream through collaboration with the Population and Family Planning Office (DP2KB), Family Welfare Movement (PKK), Dharma Wanita, and other women’s organizations.
These focus on preventing new cases of stunting through health education for adolescents, maternal health care, nutrition interventions, and monitoring child growth.
“We hope these efforts will continue to help us reach the five percent stunting reduction target by 2025,” he said.
Related news: Indonesia ensures safety in Free Nutritious Meals for young children
Related news: Indonesia allocates $20.7 bln for 2026 Free Nutritious Meals program
Related news: Need accurate data for precise stunting handling: govt
Translator: Primayanti
Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
