Data from the 2024 Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey indicates that\nthe stunting prevalence in North Maluku reaches 23.2 per cent, above the\nnational average of 19.8 per cent. This situation has prompted North\nMaluku Governor Sherly Laos to take immediate action, making child\nnutrition fulfilment and healthcare service improvements one of the\nregional development priorities.<\/p>\n
In 2018, the stunting prevalence in North Maluku was 31.4 per cent, a\ndecrease of 8.2 per cent over the past six years. South Halmahera is the\nregency with stunting prevalence above 30 per cent.<\/p>\n
The high stunting rate is linked to low coverage of various\ndeterminant factors. Out of 39 intervention indicators, only eight\nachieve coverage above 80 per cent. Meanwhile, crucial aspects such as\nprenatal check-ups, consumption of blood booster tablets, basic\nimmunisation provision, and access to nutritious food for children\nremain below 50 per cent.<\/p>\n
Governor Sherly has requested that stunting handling directly reach\ncommunities. Interventions must begin from the pregnancy period up to\nthe child\u2019s first 1,000 days of life. \u201cWe want to produce a healthy\ngeneration,\u201d she said. However, the government recognises that stunting\nefforts cannot proceed alone. Collaboration is key.<\/p>\n
Cross-sectoral synergy, from local government, healthcare workers,\nactive community participation, and private sector support, will ensure\nstunting handling yields the desired results. This collaborative\napproach is evident in Desa Soligi, Obi Selatan Subdistrict, South\nHalmahera. The village is a priority for stunting handling and is near\nHarita Nickel\u2019s operations.<\/p>\n
Through the Soligi Zero Stunting Programme, Harita Nickel has adopted\nan integrated approach to stunting handling since 2022. It not only\nfocuses on nutritional interventions but also includes parental\neducation, strengthening posyandu cadre capacity, and improving access\nto basic healthcare services. \u201cStunting must be addressed\ncomprehensively for sustainable results,\u201d said EVP External Relations of\nHarita Nickel, Latif Supriadi.<\/p>\n
Together with the village government and community, Harita Nickel has\nformulated more targeted improvement steps. Even residents have\nparticipated by donating land for the construction of an Auxiliary\nHealth Centre (Pustu). \u201cThis is not just about land, but also reflects a\nsense of ownership and trust from the community towards the joint\nefforts,\u201d Latif stated. This also forms an important foundation for the\nprogramme\u2019s sustainability.<\/p>\n
The community also serves as the frontline as posyandu cadres. A\ncadre in Desa Soligi, Murni, actively visits homes of residents with\ntoddlers at risk of stunting while providing counselling to mothers.\nThese efforts have shown tangible results. From 25 children experiencing\nor at risk of stunting, now only four remain.<\/p>\n
Quantitatively, the programme has assisted 354 children, distributed\n300 supplementary feeding packages (PMT), and trained 13 posyandu cadres\nthroughout 2024. By the end of 2025, 21 children will have successfully\nexited stunting or at-risk conditions. Qualitative impacts are also\nemerging, with Desa Soligi now having active cadres conducting early\ndetection.<\/p>\n
While multi-party partnerships continue intensively, integratively,\nand sustainably, challenges in stunting handling persist. Limitations in\nhealthcare personnel, facilities, and access to clean water remain tasks\nto be addressed together.<\/p>\n
Moving forward, programme sustainability is the main focus. The\nvillage government is taking a larger role, particularly in supporting\nhealthcare facility operations and maintaining built infrastructure. The\nhope is that the community not only becomes beneficiaries but can also\nindependently continue stunting prevention efforts.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/collaboration-to-prevent-stunting-and-save-the-north-maluku-generation-1777254809", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }