Central Sulawesi Accelerates Stunting Reduction through "Berani Depak Stunting"

The Central Sulawesi provincial government is strengthening efforts to accelerate the reduction in stunting prevalence by introducing the innovative Berani Depak (Detection of Root Causes) Stunting application. Deputy Governor Reny A Lamadjido in Palu on Friday appreciated the innovation initiated by the Provincial Population Control and Family Planning Agency (P2KB) through the Berani Depak Stunting information system. According to her, the digital platform can strengthen cross-sector coordination, expand monitoring reach, and accelerate data-based stunting handling that is accurate and integrated. She emphasised that accurate data and cross-sector collaboration are two key factors in suppressing stunting prevalence in the region. The Berani Depak Stunting application is an information system to assist data collection at stunting loci to quickly and accurately identify the root causes of stunting, so that interventions can be more targeted based on data. In its implementation, this system also involves universities, including Tadulako University, through the Thematic Stunting Real Work Lecture (KKN) programme. Through this programme, students are directly involved in field data collection and updating, while also providing education to the community on stunting prevention. In addition, students as agents of change also act as assistants in helping identify risk factors, verify target family data, and deliver education to the community. According to the Deputy Governor, this collaborative model is considered strategic in bridging the need for accurate data with direct interventions at the village and sub-district levels. Meanwhile, the Central Sulawesi provincial government targets a reduction in stunting prevalence to 19% by 2026 from the current 26.1%. Therefore, she continued, with this innovation, it is hoped that it can contribute to reducing stunting rates in Central Sulawesi to 19% this year. “Thank you to the P2KB friends for the Berani Depak Stunting initiative and all stakeholders who have helped,” she said.