‘Sebar Cinta Jakarta’ Tackles Stunting

Dozens of children under 5 in Jakarta who are active and cheerful are still shackled by stunting. A humanist approach that involves parents is deemed appropriate to overcome stunting.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS WISNU WARDHANA DANY

A toddler is free from stunting after the Semper Barat program Prevents Toddler Stunting (Spread Love) at RPTRA Triputra Persada Hijau Semper Barat, Cilincing, North Jakarta, Tuesday (31/1/2023).

On Tuesday morning (1/31/2023), dozens of children under 5 and their mothers flocked to the Triputra Persada Hijau Child Friendly Integrated Public Space (RPTRA) in West Semper, Cilincing, North Jakarta. In an instant, the 1,100-square-meter open space was filled with noise, from housewives greeting each other, mothers calming their fussy children, and to toddlers running around and playing.

Susi (33) was carrying her 2.5-year-old child, who was looking around. Her child was 92 centimeters tall and weighed 8.9 kilograms, as measured by officers from the local community health center (Puskesmas) and health office.

"My child likes to eat and is active. [They] like to run around, but when the child was tested, the results showed positive for stunting. Lack of nutrition, [the child] must be 10 kilograms," said Susi.

Also read:

> Involve All Parties to Overcome Stunting

> Specific Interventions Needed to Address Stunting

Her child eats rice, fish, vegetables, and snacks, but does not like to drink formula milk. Health workers cautioned the mother of two to improve her children's diet and nutritional intake.

"Every Tuesday, there are counseling and exercises on preparing nutritious foods. We also receive food for toddlers and vitamins," said Susi.

Susi and her child are among the 50 mothers and children under 5 who are taking part in West Semper’s Sebar Cinta program to prevent stunting in toddlers. Periodically, health workers from the Puskesmas and the health office examine children under 5 to check that they are developing well, without stunting.

That morning, 21 toddlers who had become free from stunting received certificates for their achievement, and to serve as a reminder to maintain healthy growth and development. The remaining 29 children would continue with the program until they achieved normal growth and development.

Now he likes to eat, not just snacks. If he is hungry, he asks for food. So he is more active and runs around.

Darmini (53) was calming her 1-year-old niece, who was fussy all day. The toddler’s had dropped from 8.4 kg to 7.9 kg at a height of 72 cm. "She is hot. Yesterday, she liked to eat. Now she's fussy. She likes snacks, snacking rather than eating rice or vegetables," said Darmini.

It was the opposite with Siti Juleha (33), who was happily while watching her 2-year-old son playing on the slide. Her son's weight had increased from 9 kg to 10.4 kg, and he was declared free from stunting.

"Now he likes to eat, not just snacks. If he is hungry, he asks for food. So he is more active and runs around," said Siti.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS WISNU WARDHANA DANY

Acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono reviewed the Semper Barat program to Prevent Toddler Stunting (Spread Love) at RPTRA Triputra Persada Hijau Semper Barat, Cilincing, North Jakarta, Tuesday (31/1/2023).

Intervention

Stunting is inhibited growth and development due to malnutrition. Interventions to accelerate reduction in stunting need to focus more on children under 2 years old, because the first 1,000 days of life is a crucial time to prevent new cases of stunting (Kompas, 27/1/2023).

Jakarta acting governor Heru Budi Hartono has collaborated with relevant ministries and institutions to tackle stunting in the capital city. The administration gathers data on names and addresses so the intervention is on target.

According to temporary data from the Jakarta Health Office, there are 777 cases of children prone to stunting in Cilincing. A total of 134 cases have been resolved and declared free of stunting. Other areas in North Jakarta are also struggling to overcome stunting, for example, Koja has 144 cases and Penjaringan has 116 cases.

So far, the Jakarta provincial administration is providing food aid, such as chicken, eggs and beef. Local Puskesmas and health offices also run regular checks and interventions.

Also read:

> Strengthen Collaboration to Overcome Stunting

> ”Quo Vadis” in Accelerated Stunting-Reduction Movement

Heru has also called on the parents of children under 5 to pay attention and care for their children. Fathers and mothers must provide nutritious foods so their children can achieve optimal growth and development.

On Monday (1/30/2023), a limited meeting took place between the Jakarta administration, Statistics Indonesia’s Jakarta office (BPS Jakarta), and the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN). One of the items on the meeting’s agenda was to discuss data synchronization in tackling stunting. Data gathered by Carik Jakarta is integrated with the BKKBN family information system.

The BKKBN recorded 68 million residents in 2021 and 37 million families in 2022 at risk of stunting.

"We immediately sent a sample to ensure that the Carik Jakarta data that has been linked to the BKKBN [system] is the right target," said BKKBN chief secretary Tavip Agus Rayanti.

Data matched with names and addresses will be linked to the Jakarta provincial administration's Social Assistance Program. The data is also part of the coordination between the regional administration and the central government.

We immediately sent a sample to ensure that the Carik Jakarta data that has been linked to the BKKBN [system] is the right target.

The 2022 Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey Report (SSGI) found that the national stunting rate had declined to 21.6 percent, down 2.8 percent from the previous year. The government is targeting a decrease in stunting prevalence of at least 3 percent every year to reach 14 percent in 2024.

According to data from the Health Ministry, the number of stunted children aged of 0 to 11 months in 2021 was 565,479. Of that number, children aged 12-23 months with stunting one year later in 2022 was set at a fixed estimate of also 565,479. However, it was reported in 2022 that the number of stunted children in this age group had increased to 978,930 (Kompas, 27/1/2023).

A humanist approach that involves parents and is based on accurate data and targeted programs is a way to overcome stunting quickly. Overcoming stunting at an early age means saving the nation's descendants.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.