PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The demographic bonus that Indonesia is projected to enjoy in 2045 will be in vain and even become a burden on the state, if stunting is not prevented from now on.

This was conveyed by Acting West Java Regional Secretary Taufiq Budi Santoso during the 2024 West Java Stunting Discussion in Bandung City, Monday (26/2/2024).

Taufiq revealed World Bank data that stunting has been proven to cause state losses of 2 - 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

When 2045 arrives, losses due to stunting must not be experienced so that the dream of a Golden Indonesia cannot be realized.

Because of this, stunting is the main focus of the West Java Provincial Government in development in the health sector. What is currently being pursued is improving data quality and family assistance.

"Apart from that, it is also necessary to increase growth monitoring as a form of early detection so that nutritional problems can be prevented as quickly as possible," said Taufiq Budi Santoso.

"No less important is the active role of all Stunting Reduction Acceleration Teams (TPPS) in overseeing planning and monitoring and evaluating the implementation of activities," he added.

Talking about progress in reducing stunting prevalence, West Java in 2021 is at 24.5 percent. In 2022 it will be 20.2 percent, or exceeding the RPJMD target of 21.2 percent.

In other words, there will be a decrease of 4.3 percent from 2021 to 2022. In 2021 there will still be four districts and cities where the prevalence of stunting is above 30 percent.

However, in 2022 all districts and cities will be below 30 percent, and there are even four regions that have reached the national target, namely below 14 percent, including Bekasi City, Depok City, Cianjur Regency and Karawang Regency.

Daily Chair of the West Java Stunting Reduction Acceleration Team (TPPS), Iendra Sofyan, said that there were a number of intervention focuses on reducing stunting in West Java.

The focus of intervention, according to him, must be in harmony between the central and regional governments. For example, increasing access and quality of basic services such as providing blood supplement tablets to teenage girls, providing additional food and complete basic immunization to toddlers, as well as examinations of pregnant women and fetuses, and supplementation.

No less important, he added, is reminding the public to adopt a clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS). Then prevention of diarrhea and worms, as well as access to clean water and healthy latrines.

Then, he explained, strengthening the family economy through social security, job training, and providing employment opportunities. This includes encouraging access to capital, increasing food security, food diversification, and increasing production, equitable distribution of food biofortification.

Convergence Action to Accelerate Stunting Reduction is the mandate of Presidential Regulation no. 72 of 2021 concerning the Acceleration of Reducing Stunting which is the responsibility of the provincial government to ensure its implementation in all districts and cities.

BKKBN Deputy for Mobilization and Information Advocacy (Adpin) Sukaryo Teguh Santoso said that his party had implemented and planned various programs to accelerate stunting reduction.

"514 cities and districts throughout Indonesia have committed to implementing stunting reduction programs in their regions," said Sukaryo.

"Stunting is still a serious challenge both in West Java and Indonesia," he said.

"Let's commit together to make West Java stunting-free in West Java. Hopefully this Stunting Conference will bring positive results," he said.

Head of the West Java BKKBN Representative, Fazar Supriadi Sentosa, said that his party always monitors budget policy support for efforts to reduce stunting so that they are more effective.

He also encouraged the strengthening of eight convergence actions to combat stunting.

To support the Presidential Decree, it is necessary to provide data on families at risk of stunting, mentoring, mentoring prospective brides and grooms, surveillance of stunting families, audits, budget planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and visiting victims, as well as a number of other actions.