Two percent of Tanah Bumbu's APBDes to handle stunting in villages

Batulicin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Tanah Bumbu Board of Development Planning, Research and Development (Bappeda Litbang) stated that the allocation of two percent of village budget (APBDes) is to handle stunting in villages.

First Functional Expert Planner of the Bappeda Litbang Arwin Hartono at the APBDes Synchronization Meeting in Batulicin, Friday (Oct 4, 2024), emphasized the importance of this allocation for handling stunting.

"This allocation must be used appropriately for specific intervention, especially for the target group of the first 1,000 days of life (HPK)," said Arwin.

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He pointed out that this group, which consist of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children aged 0-23 months, is a priority for stunting prevention efforts.

"We have to focus effort on early prevention. Specific intervention activities must be directed at this group," said Arwin.

Specific intervention discussed include providing additional food for toddlers who experience nutritional problems, such as malnutrition, low body weight, and todders who are stunted.

Meanwhile, counseling and additional food also are provided at the posyandu (integrated health service post) for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers as an important part.

"This intervention must be conducted comprehensively and sustainably, so that the stunting rate in Tanah Bumbu can continue to decline," he said.

With this meeting, it is hoped that every village can maximize the use of two percent allocation from APBDes to support stunting handling program. 

"Hopefully with this step we can create a generation that is healthier and free from malnutrition problems," said Arwin.

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