The Central Java government has succeeded in reducing the number of cases of stunting in its area in 2021.
“According to the research data, the stunting rate in Central Java fell to 19.9 percent, or it succeeded in surpassing the target set in the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), in which the SDGs has targeted the stunting rate to be below 20 percent by 2030,” Head of the Central Java Provincial Health Office, Yulianto Prabowo, stated in Semarang on Friday.
Prabowo cited data from the Indonesian Nutritional Status Study (SSGI), which showed that the number of cases of stunting in Central Java in 2021 had fallen to 20 percent, from 27 percent recorded last year.
“That’s the SSGI data that comes from the program, while we have our own data in the form of research reports that are smaller in number than that,” he remarked.
Yulianto explained that the number of cases of stunting in Central Java that reached 37 percent in 2013 was successfully reduced to 31 percent in 2018.
“In 2021, according to the research data, stunting in Central Java will drop to 19.9 percent. Hence, the decline is quite good,” he stated.
Central Java Governor, Ganjar Pranowo, lauded everyone that contributed in the efforts to reduce the number of cases of stunting in the region.
“Based on data, we have succeeded in reducing the stunting rate, but of course, we must not become complacent. We must continue to boost programs in order to reduce this stunting rate,” he affirmed.
Pranowo noted that the provincial government was working with the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) in promoting stunting reduction programs.
The Central Java provincial government runs the 5Ng Program as a means to reduce the stunting cases and lower maternal and infant mortality in the region, among others.
“With this system, we can find out how many pregnant women are there. It is noted that in a year, there are 500 thousand pregnant women in Central Java, and the figure then narrowed down again. Hence, a solution to the problem must be sought. If only 20 percent, for instance, then yes, then we will intervene,” he elaborated.
Source: Antara News