Rantau, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The district government of Tapin has recorded a significant reduction of stunting rates to 13.2 percent by 2024, making it the only region to exceed the national target of 14 percent and the lowest in South Kalimantan Province.
Chairperson of Tapin Family Empowerment and Welfare Movement Team (TP PKK) Hj Faridah Yamani attributed this achievement to good parenting, exclusive breastrfeeding for six months, nutritious complementary feeding (MP-ASI), and regular growth and development monitoring at posyandu (integrated health service posts).
“Regular monitoring of child's growth and development at posyandu needs to be continued. Mothers from PKK are also expected to become agents of change in the community to prevent stunting,” she said in Rantau, Tapin capital, Wednesday.
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Based on data from the Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI), the stunting rate in Tapin has been consistently declining since 2021, falling from 33.5 percent in 2021 to 14.5 percent in 2022, 14.4 percent in 2023, and now reaching 13.2 percent in 2024.
She attributed this success to collaboration of various parties, including local government, health workers, and PKK cadres who actively educate the community.
According to Farida, factors contributing to stunting reduction are not only related to nutritiion, but also to environmental, social, psychological, and appropriate parenting pattern.
“Stunting prevention is a collective work that needs awareness from all parties,” she emphasized.
She said that Tapin government together with TP-PKK will continue to be committed to maintaining and even further reducing stunting prevalence in the coming years by stengthening education and maternal and child health service programs at the village level.
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