This is the Supporting Factor for the Success of the Stunting Intervention Programme According to IPB University Nutrition Lecturer
Since the issuance of Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 72 of 2021 concerning the acceleration of stunting reduction, the stunting rate in Indonesia has only decreased by an average of 1.45 per cent each year. This is certainly very far from the expected target of around 14 per cent.
To formulate a strategy to reduce stunting in the future, the Directorate of Strategic Studies and Academic Reputation (DKaSRA) of IPB University organised The 43rd IPB Strategic Talks with the title “Policy Acceleration for Stunting Reduction and National Nutrition Development” on Tuesday, 2/4 online.
On this occasion, Inti Wikanestri, SKM, MPA as Coordinator of Nutrition, Ministry of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia/National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) conveyed several important points.
“Reducing the prevalence of stunting cannot be achieved in a short time because it results from improving various determinant factors. Therefore, Bappenas has short-term programmes in the form of local supplementary feeding (PMT) and long-term programmes that promote diverse food consumption patterns, nutrient enrichment and nutritional security in the first 1000 days of life,” she said.
Dr Tin Herawati, Chairperson of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (IKK) IPB University, explained that stunting actually has complex root causes. “The root of the stunting problem actually lies in the low education of couples, poor quality parenting and family food patterns, child marriage, and is influenced by government policies or lack of political will in overcoming the stunting problem,” Dr Tin explained.
“The government must have a strong commitment to alleviate stunting. Programme implementers must also be improved both in quality and quantity. Budget support and good health facilities and infrastructure also need to be provided,” she said, explaining the factors supporting the success of the stunting intervention programme.
Meanwhile, Prof Rizal Damanik, Professor of the Department of Community Nutrition at IPB University, talked about the multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder approach in national stunting intervention through the Healthy Kitchen to Overcome Stunting (DASHAT) programme. DASHAT targets groups of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and toddlers from families at risk of stunting.
“The programme needs to involve various multi-sector actors to run optimally. The government acts as a coach and regulator of programme implementation. Universities act as facilitators for nutrition education to the community. The business world becomes a donor and companion for business and nutrition management. This programme also requires community activist cadres who are tasked with driving and motivating the implementation of the programme,” explained Prof Rizal.
The next speaker, Drs Seperius Edison Sipa, M.Si. as the Acting Regent of South Central Timor (TTS), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) explained about the stunting condition in his district. “TTS is one of the regions in Indonesia with the highest stunting rate. In 2023, the prevalence of stunting in TTS reached 22.3 per cent, higher than the national prevalence of 21.5 per cent,” said Drs Seperius.
Drs Seperius continued, TTS Regency has conducted several stunting intervention programmes, namely the provision of local food PMT, the provision of blood supplement tablets to pregnant women and adolescent girls, and the recruitment of health workers for villages.
“Our district is also very open to research cooperation opportunities from universities on stunting issues so that the local government can formulate policies in accordance with the research results,” he added. (NZR/Lp) (IAAS/RUM)
