Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Muhadjir Effendy, has urged Batam and the Riau Islands Province to eliminate stunting to develop superior human resources that can compete internationally. During a dialogue with residents in Buliang Village, Batu Aji, he emphasized that eradicating stunting is crucial for Batam to compete with neighboring Singapore.
During a dialogue on stunting with the residents of Buliang Village, Batu Aji, Minister Muhadjir Effendy stressed the importance of ending stunting in Batam. Stunting prevalence in Batam and the Riau Islands Province stands at 15.2% and 15.4% respectively, according to 2022 data. To compete with Singapore, Muhadjir emphasized the need for better nutrition, healthcare, and comprehensive stunting prevention.
Muhadjir Effendy highlighted that children affected by stunting will struggle to compete internationally due to impaired brain development, urging early intervention.
The stunting rate in Batam stands at 15.2%, while the Riau Islands Province overall is at 15.4%. These rates fall under the medium health issue category, according to WHO.
Muhadjir called for improved nutrition for pregnant women and young children, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups and consumption of balanced protein-rich diets.
The minister urged local governments to conduct accurate data collection on pregnant women, ensuring regular prenatal check-ups and monitoring to prevent stunting.
Read More: Stunting Cases Plummet in Batam: A Model for Public Health Initiatives
During a visit to RSKI Galang, Muhadjir directed the hospital to continue providing comprehensive healthcare services, including emergency care and treatment for diseases like TB and drug addiction.
Tackling stunting in Batam aligns with global health priorities and promises a healthier, more competitive neighbor. Improving healthcare facilities and reducing stunting could position Batam as a strong regional competitor.
Minister Muhadjir Effendy urged Batam and the Riau Islands Province to eradicate stunting to compete internationally, emphasizing improved nutrition and healthcare. He inspected RSKI Galang’s transformation, advocating comprehensive healthcare services for the region.
Source: Bali Puspa News (2024)
