Nusantara Capital Authority Strengthens Posyandu Cadres to Reduce Stunting Prevalence in IKN

The Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) is strengthening the role of integrated health post (posyandu) cadres in an effort to reduce the prevalence of stunting in the IKN area, which covers parts of North Penajam Paser Regency and Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province. The current stunting rate is recorded at around 18 percent. “Human resource development is an inseparable part of building the new capital city,” said Suwito, Director of Basic Services at the Nusantara Capital Authority, when asked about non-physical development aspects in Sepaku, North Penajam Paser, on Saturday. IKN is also developing non-physical aspects by preparing the human resources who will become the next generation to continue the development of IKN, Indonesia’s new capital. The challenge and problem of stunting is a concern for the Nusantara Capital Authority. “The current stunting prevalence in the IKN area is recorded at around 18 percent,” he said. The effort is carried out by strengthening posyandu cadres in the IKN delineation area, equipping them with training on healthy family management, reproductive health, and healthy pregnancy. “There must be no more stunted births in IKN, as an effort to prepare the generation that will continue the development of the national capital,” Suwito explained. Strengthening posyandu cadres is an important investment, added Basiran, Head of the Maridan Community Health Centre (Puskesmas), because the cadres interact directly with families at the grassroots level. The involvement of the Nusantara Capital Authority in collaboration with community health centres, local governments, the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), the Indonesian Obstetrics and Gynaecology Association (POGI), and posyandu cadres helps broaden the reach of education and assistance to the community. According to Seminawati, a cadre at Maridan Posyandu, the training provided by the Nusantara Capital Authority offers additional insights that can be applied when assisting the community. It is hoped that the training activities will be carried out on an ongoing basis so as to reduce, and even free, the IKN area from stunting.