PORTALJABAR, GARUT REGENCY - Stunting or a condition where a child's height is lower than the average for their age is still a serious problem, including in Garut Regency. Therefore, the Regional Work Unit (SKPD) needs to optimize its role and policies to overcome this problem.

This was conveyed by the Regent of Garut, Abdusy Syakur Amin, during the Monitoring activity for the 2025 Stunting Reduction Acceleration Program in the Meeting Room of the Regional Secretariat (Setda) of Garut Regency, Jalan Pembangunan, Tarogong Kidul District, Friday (25/4/2025).

"I hope all my friends in SKPD can solve this problem and use this input for future policies," said Syakur.

He also highlighted the importance of clear and measurable directions and targets in the implementation of the stunting reduction acceleration program. According to him, evaluation of the ongoing program is crucial so that future implementation is more effective and on target.

Syakur also mentioned the high birth rate in Garut Regency, which reaches 50 thousand people per year. This condition can be used as early detection of stunting at the village level as a strategic step that cannot be postponed.

"Honestly, I say, every year Garut gives birth to 50 thousand people and that must be detected everywhere. Don't worry because we have 442 villages, so those 50 thousand people will be managed," he said.

He also hopes that there will be strategic input from various parties, including from the Secretariat of the Vice President (Setwapres) of the Republic of Indonesia, in order to formulate a sharper and more effective strategy in reducing stunting rates in Garut Regency.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Deputy for Health, Nutrition, and Family Development of the Vice Presidential Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, Siti Alfiah, expressed her appreciation for the commitment and support of the Garut Regency Government during her team's monitoring in the field.

He said that his party was still waiting for the publication of the results of the 2024 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI) from the Ministry of Health which is scheduled to be released in early May 2025. The results of the survey will be the latest reference regarding the prevalence rate of stunting in Garut.

According to Siti, accelerating the reduction of stunting is a national priority in the next five years, as stated in the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) and the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

"In the RPJMN, we are targeting that in 2029 it can reach 14.2 percent and in the RPJPN in 2045 it is targeted that the prevalence of stunting can be reduced to 5 percent," he concluded. (Diskominfo Kab. Garut/ Rani)