The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture has said that integrated health posts (posyandus) have a strategic role in campaigning for the consumption of a balanced diet rich in animal proteins to prevent stunting.
“Posyandus have a strategic role in carrying out the ‘animal proteins for preventing stunting’ campaign that is currently being promoted by the government,” the ministry’s assistant deputy for nutrition security and health promotion Jelsi Natalia Marampa said when contacted on Wednesday.
Posyandus, which are located near communities, are at the forefront in reminding pregnant women and mothers with under-five children to optimize the consumption of a balanced diet, she added.
“Thus, posyandus can play a big role in efforts to prevent stunting,” she said.
According to Marampa, the ministry is encouraging the strengthening of education and assistance by posyandu cadres to pregnant women and mothers with under-five children.
“Intensive education is expected to improve the awareness and understanding of the community regarding the importance of meeting nutritional needs to prevent stunting,” she explained.
Marampa further said that her ministry is encouraging all stakeholders to play an active role in carrying out the dissemination of information and education on the importance of consuming animal proteins to meet the nutritional needs of children and support their growth.
The community must continue to be reminded that animal proteins are rich in nutrients that are important to support children’s growth and development, she added.
“Parents must continue to be reminded to provide their children with eggs, fish, chicken livers, and meat as choices for animal proteins,” she said.
Indonesia’s stunting prevalence declined by 2.8 percentage points to 21.6 percent in 2022 from 24.4 percent in 2021, based on the 2022 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI) of a sample of 334,848 babies and under-five children.
The Indonesian government aims to reduce stunting prevalence to 14 percent by 2024.
Source: Antara News