Jakarta (ANTARA) - A third COVID-19 wave could complicate the implementation of Indonesia's stunting eradication efforts, Netty Prasetiyani Aher, a member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, has opined.
"Amid the threat of a third wave, the task of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) to reduce stunting rates is getting more and more difficult. The 2024 target is to reduce (the stunting rate by) 10.4 percent to make (it) 14 percent. BKKBN is working hard to achieve this target in the midst of a pandemic," she said in a statement released on Wednesday.
She urged the government to anticipate the third wave to prevent the nation from missing the stunting rate reduction target and to ensure that the program's strategic steps can still be implemented.
To face the challenge, it would be necessary to synchronize Social Welfare Integrated Data (DTKS) of the Ministry of Social Affairs with data belonging to the BKKBN, according to Aher.
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She also called for the improvement of clean water infrastructure, water supply, and healthy latrines for Indonesian families, especially during the pandemic, when there is a risk of virus transmission.
"In addition to chronic energy and nutritional deficiencies, the indirect cause of stunting is lack of access to clean water and healthy latrines. How is it possible for families to meet their nutritional needs if clean water is difficult to obtain?" she asked.
Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2020 showed that 9.79 percent of Indonesian households did not have access to proper drinking water sources, she noted.
The lawmaker also asked the government to give attention and support to the cadres spearheading stunting handling on the field.
"The cadres of the family planning program (PLKB) and posyandu (integrated health posts) are valuable assets of the BKKBN; hence, they need to be given training to improve their competence. Their welfare and social security also needs to be considered," she remarked.
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