MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – To position Indonesia as a formidable nation in the global arena, it is imperative to tackle the issue of stunting with utmost urgency and determination.
The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Muhadjir Effendy mentioned that stunting can occur during pregnancy and after birth, making it crucial to focus on providing proper nutrition for toddlers and educating prospective parents.
“To attain this goal, it is crucial to prioritize early optimal nutrition. Furthermore, imparting education to students is essential, enabling them to proactively address and prevent stunting,” said Muhadjir in the National Seminar on ‘Accelerating Stunting Reduction Strategies in Achieving Indonesia Emas (Golden Indonesia) 2045′ at Universitas Muhammadiyah (UM) Pontianak on Saturday (8 July).
West Kalimantan Province grapples with a significant issue of stunting, ranking eighth highest in Indonesia with a prevalence of 27.8 percent.
“Thus, UM Pontianak students play a vital role in tackling this problem. Higher education is responsible for educating students and community to answer the issue, particularly to address nutrition and anemia issues among adolescents,” said Muhadjir.
According to SSGI 2022 data, Indonesia has made significant strides in reducing the prevalence of stunting to 21.4 percent. Nevertheless, sustained efforts are required to achieve the target of reducing it to 14 percent by 2024.
Addressing the issue of stunting is of utmost urgency, as it impacts health, carries significant socioeconomic implications, and shapes community behavior.
“Strategic and tailored interventions should be implemented in synergy, harnessing the valuable data from the Extreme Poverty Eradication Acceleration (P3KE) program to ensure precise targeting and sustainable interventions that yield tangible and lasting results,” said Muhadjir.
Muhadjir proposed that higher education institutions leverage the P3KE data when performing community service to bolster the government’s initiatives in combating stunting. This data, organized by names and addresses, serves as a valuable resource for effectively managing programs that genuinely benefit and positively impact the community.
