West Jakarta Accelerates Stunting Reduction through Sanitation Improvements

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The West Jakarta City Government is accelerating the reduction of stunting rates in its area through sanitation improvements and the achievement of Open Defecation Free (ODF) or Stop Open Defecation (BABS) status in all sub-districts.

“The stunting reduction in West Jakarta is now 17.4 per cent. The challenges we face still include residents with DKI IDs but domiciled outside,” said the Mayor of West Jakarta, Iin Mutmainnah, during the 2026 City-Level Development Planning Deliberation (Musrenbang) on Thursday.

She assessed that one of the main challenges in handling stunting is the continued practice of open defecation (BABS).

Of the total 56 sub-districts in West Jakarta, Iin stated that currently 13 sub-districts have achieved ODF status. Meanwhile, 42 sub-districts have committed to achieving ODF, and one sub-district still has not eliminated BABS practices.

“This will be done in 2026. We will not wait for a long process because we want all sub-districts in West Jakarta to declare ODF, clearly related to the commitment,” she said.

“We will do it independently, through self-reliance and collaboration with several companies, including some entrepreneurs in companies that will help accelerate this ODF,” she added.

In addition, the former Head of the DKI Jakarta Population Control, Family Planning, Women’s Empowerment, and Child Protection Agency (Dinas PPAPP) also prioritises the provision of local domestic wastewater management systems (SPALD), environmental sanitation improvements, and enhanced health services for vulnerable groups.

The programme, according to Iin, includes health services for toddlers, pregnant women, women in labour, and breastfeeding mothers as part of integrated efforts to reduce stunting rates.

“Then the priority for 2027 is the provision of sub-SPALD or sanitation and environmental improvements, as well as health services for toddlers, pregnant women, women in labour, and breastfeeding mothers,” she added.

She is optimistic that with strengthened sanitation, changes in clean living behaviours, and cross-sector support, the ODF target can be achieved and stunting rates can be significantly reduced.