Collaboration to Prevent Stunting and Save the North Maluku Generation

Data from the 2024 Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey indicates that the stunting prevalence in North Maluku reaches 23.2 per cent, above the national average of 19.8 per cent. This situation has prompted North Maluku Governor Sherly Laos to take immediate action, making child nutrition fulfilment and healthcare service improvements one of the regional development priorities.

In 2018, the stunting prevalence in North Maluku was 31.4 per cent, a decrease of 8.2 per cent over the past six years. South Halmahera is the regency with stunting prevalence above 30 per cent.

The high stunting rate is linked to low coverage of various determinant factors. Out of 39 intervention indicators, only eight achieve coverage above 80 per cent. Meanwhile, crucial aspects such as prenatal check-ups, consumption of blood booster tablets, basic immunisation provision, and access to nutritious food for children remain below 50 per cent.

Governor Sherly has requested that stunting handling directly reach communities. Interventions must begin from the pregnancy period up to the child’s first 1,000 days of life. “We want to produce a healthy generation,” she said. However, the government recognises that stunting efforts cannot proceed alone. Collaboration is key.

Cross-sectoral synergy, from local government, healthcare workers, active community participation, and private sector support, will ensure stunting handling yields the desired results. This collaborative approach is evident in Desa Soligi, Obi Selatan Subdistrict, South Halmahera. The village is a priority for stunting handling and is near Harita Nickel’s operations.

Through the Soligi Zero Stunting Programme, Harita Nickel has adopted an integrated approach to stunting handling since 2022. It not only focuses on nutritional interventions but also includes parental education, strengthening posyandu cadre capacity, and improving access to basic healthcare services. “Stunting must be addressed comprehensively for sustainable results,” said EVP External Relations of Harita Nickel, Latif Supriadi.

Together with the village government and community, Harita Nickel has formulated more targeted improvement steps. Even residents have participated by donating land for the construction of an Auxiliary Health Centre (Pustu). “This is not just about land, but also reflects a sense of ownership and trust from the community towards the joint efforts,” Latif stated. This also forms an important foundation for the programme’s sustainability.

The community also serves as the frontline as posyandu cadres. A cadre in Desa Soligi, Murni, actively visits homes of residents with toddlers at risk of stunting while providing counselling to mothers. These efforts have shown tangible results. From 25 children experiencing or at risk of stunting, now only four remain.

Quantitatively, the programme has assisted 354 children, distributed 300 supplementary feeding packages (PMT), and trained 13 posyandu cadres throughout 2024. By the end of 2025, 21 children will have successfully exited stunting or at-risk conditions. Qualitative impacts are also emerging, with Desa Soligi now having active cadres conducting early detection.

While multi-party partnerships continue intensively, integratively, and sustainably, challenges in stunting handling persist. Limitations in healthcare personnel, facilities, and access to clean water remain tasks to be addressed together.

Moving forward, programme sustainability is the main focus. The village government is taking a larger role, particularly in supporting healthcare facility operations and maintaining built infrastructure. The hope is that the community not only becomes beneficiaries but can also independently continue stunting prevention efforts.