Tanah Bumbu (Tanbu) district, South Kalimantan, has organized the Rembuk Stunting (stunting summit/consultation) on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. The event, which conducted via video conference, was carried out as a commitment of all elements in the Tanah Bumbu Regency to tackle stunting despite the current situation of Covid-19 pandemic.
In his opening remarks, the Regent of Tanah Bumbu, H. Sudian Noor, emphasized that stunting prevention was crucial because of the long-term effect on the children development that can’t be reversed. “Through this Rembuk Stunting, I hope we could gather commitment to reduce stunting in Tanah Bumbu. We should develop promotive and preventive programs that educate and encourage the community, especially pregnant women, to improve maternal and child health and nutrition.
The Regional Secretary of Tanah Bumbu, H. Rooswandi Salem, report the results of stunting intervention in his area. Tanah Bumbu has been a stunting reduction priority location (locus) since 2019. On early January 2020, a Stunting Prevention and Reduction team (KP2S) were formed through the Regent’s Decree No. 188.46 / 130 / BAPPEDA / 2020. Stunting prevalence in Tanah Bumbu has increased from 4.5% in 2018 to 5.03% in 2019. Increased public awareness of stunting has resulted in a higher detection rate and later increase the stunting prevalence.
Currently, 35 villages in Tanah Bumbu Regency become stunting locus and next year, 26 villages were proposed. Rooswandi also states that the program and activity plan has used multisector and multistakeholder approach. For instance, collaboration with private sectors through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
Pungkas Bahjuri Ali, Director of Public Health and Nutrition at National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), also gave a presentation about synchronized planning for stunting reduction. Amidst the current Covid-19 situation, stunting prevention must continue to be a priority, especially in ensuring health services delivery to pregnant women. “As per presidential instruction, despite Covid-19, the national stunting target remains 14% by 2024. No adjustment needed because we believe Covid-19 can be solved this year, but stunting remains a problem for the next five years,” he said.
Besides Bappenas, Head of South Kalimantan’s Province Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) and Director of the Synchronization of Regional Government Affairs III of the Ministry of Home Affairs also gave a presentation at the Tanah Bumbu Stunting Summit.
The event wrapped up with commitment signing made separately by the Tanah Bumbu Regent, H. Sudian Noor, in the Covid-19 Command Center of the BPBD Office and the Regional Secretary of Tanah Bumbu, H. Rooswandi Salem, at the Regent’s Office. The commitment signing is a symbol of local government’s commitment to ensure all elements work together to reduce and prevent stunting.
Rembuk stunting is a part of eight convergence action to stunting reduction. This activity held after situation analysis and stunting work plan is done. Rembuk stunting participants include Regent, Regional Secretary, DPRD, Bappeda, relevant OPD, sub-district and village heads, program assistants, academics, civil society organizations and other elements of the community. The main objective of Rembuk stunting is to increase commitment to reduce stunting and ensure cross-sectoral involvement in the region.
