PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) through community health centers and posyandu is aggressively providing vitamin A to toddlers to prevent stunting. Vitamin A administration was launched in February and August.

Acting Chair of TP PKK Bandung City, Linda Nurani Hapsah said, Vitamin A is a very good source of nutrition and is needed during the growth period of toddlers. He conveyed this while monitoring the administration of Vitamin A at Posyandu Cempaka RW 09, Jatihandap Village, Mandalajati District, Wednesday (28/2/2024).

"Vitamin A is very important for the growth and development of toddlers, which is essential for growth and immunity. This is really important for us to prepare a great generation," he said.

Linda said, if a toddler lacks Vitamin A, there can be various serious risks to the child's health condition, ranging from visual impairment, susceptibility to infection, and stunting.

To anticipate this risk, the government has programmed the distribution of Vitamin A through posyandu to ensure children grow up healthy and intelligent.

According to him, giving vitamin A is important in children's growth and development. Providing vitamin A is one of the specific intervention services in the health sector in the context of preventing stunting.

"Babies and toddlers are our assets in the future for our development. Currently we have a demographic bonus with the presence of babies and toddlers. In 2045, the Gen Z generation will take the reins of leadership," he said.

On the occasion of National Nutrition Day, Linda also reminded that during the growth and development period, babies and toddlers are sure to get a healthy menu that is varied and nutritionally balanced to prevent children from becoming stunted.

"Parents please pay attention to preparing a healthy menu at home, a varied, nutritious and balanced menu," he said.

"It is important for toddlers to get food with complete, balanced nutrition. Puskesmas must intensively educate them, paying attention to their basic needs," he added.

The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) targets the stunting prevalence rate in 2024 to be 14 percent. Meanwhile, in 2023, the Bandung City Government is targeting a stunting prevalence of 17 percent.

Head of Mandalajati Subdistrict, Yati Sri Sumiati, said that the regional authorities together with PKK cadres, posyandu and Puskesmas continue to intensively carry out various programs to intervene in handling stunting.

"Even though there may still be some, hopefully we can reduce to a minimum the cases of stunting in the Mandalajati District area," he said.

On this occasion, there was a symbolic handover of Posyandu Additional Food Providing (PMT) from the Acting Chair of the Bandung City PKK to the Chair of Cempaka Posyandu as well as a handover of PAUD children's books. (rdp*)