Half of children under five in South Central Timor Regency experience Tengkes

The poor report on handling stunting with a large budget has made the public angry. The issue of "stunting" seems to be a project.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

A child eats white rice in an ex-East Timor refugee housing complex in Oebelo, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Friday (14/2/2020). Living below the poverty line causes children's nutrition needs to not be met.

The results of the Indonesian Health Survey show that the prevalence of stunting or tengkes in East Nusa Tenggara in 2023 is 37.9 or an increase compared to the previous year of 35.3. As many as 17 of the 22 districts/cities in NTT experienced an increase in prevalence rates. The public is questioning the use of the stunting handling budget, which will reach IDR 214.3 billion in 2023.

Data compiled by Kompas as of Saturday (4/5/2024) morning stated that NTT was in the second top ranking after Central Papua. The province, which was newly created from the parent province of Papua, recorded a stunting prevalence of 39.4. Before there was a new province, NTT was always at the top.

Of the 22 districts/cities in NTT, South Central Timor Regency has the highest stunting rate, namely 50.1. That means, one in two children under five in the area is stunted. The prevalence of stunting in this area is even the highest in Indonesia.

The prevalence figure in 2023 actually increased compared to the results of the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) in 2021 which was 48.3 and in 2022 which was 45.2. President Joko Widodo's visit to see the handling of stunting in South Central Timor some time ago apparently did not have a positive effect.

BPMI SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN

President Joko Widodo visited a resident's house in Kasetnana village, South Central Timor Regency, NTT on Thursday (24/3/2022). The president also engaged in a dialogue with the residents. In this regency, the incidence of malnutrition is still quite high. At least 48 out of 100 toddlers suffer from malnutrition.

The second highest is Belu Regency with a prevalence of 48.1. This figure increased from the previous year, namely 36.6. An increase of more than 10 percent occurred in regions led by regents with medical backgrounds. Now, 49 out of 100 children there are stunted.

The third highest position is occupied by Malacca Regency with a prevalence of 47.7 or 48 out of 100 children in a state of stunting. This figure increased from the previous year of 32.9. Malacca recorded a very significant increase.

Meanwhile, the area that recorded a decrease was Ngada Regency, from 31.2 to 21.3. Ngada is the area in NTT with the lowest prevalence of stunting. Then, Nagekeo followed with a figure of 24.9 and Ende 27.5. These two areas also recorded a decline.

Only five out of 22 districts/cities have experienced a decrease in prevalence. The other two areas are East Sumba Regency, which decreased from 32.2 to 26.3, and West Manggarai from 38.9 to 36.2. One area that remained unchanged is Kupang Regency with a prevalence rate of 38.4.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

A toddler in Tesabela village, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, grew up healthy thanks to the consumption of moringa, as seen in September 2022. The number of toddlers with malnutrition has decreased.

Also read: Budget IDR 30 Trillion, "Stunting" Drops Only 0.1 Percent

This increase in the prevalence of stunting actually occurs when the budget disbursed continues to increase. Nationally, the total budget allocated in 2023 is approximately IDR 30 trillion. National budget increases are automatically followed by regional increases.

Just to compare, the budget for handling stunting nationally in 2019 was IDR 29.3 trillion, in 2020 it was IDR 27.5 trillion, in 2021 it was IDR 35.3 trillion, and in 2022 it was IDR 34. 2 trillion.

For NTT, in 2023, the total budget disbursed for handling stunting will be approximately IDR 214.3 billion. In detail, the special physical allocation funds amounted to IDR 36.3 billion, family planning operational assistance IDR 137.9 billion, and additional food provision IDR 40.1 billion.

Potential for "stunting"

What needs to be done is to prevent the risk of stunting so that it does not occur again in the future. Of the total 638,837 families in NTT, 385,068 families were declared at risk of stunting.

KOMPAS/FRANS PATI HERIN

A child brushes their teeth using murky water. Several residents in Manulea Village, Sasitamean District, Malaka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, use turbid water from Babeko River for bathing and washing, as of Wednesday (21/10/2020). The area has been experiencing a clean water crisis for a long time.

This risk is seen from 128,629 families who do not have proper drinking water and 231,765 families who do not have proper toilets. Procurement of clean water and latrines to create total sanitation needs to be done immediately. Poor sanitation can foster stunting.

Apart from that, families from a number of marriages also have a risk of stunting. Currently, 2,569 people in NTT are married too young, namely under 20 years old; 165,753 women married too old, namely 35-40 years; 7,978 couples had children too close together, namely less than two years apart; and 276,726 couples had too many children, namely more than three children.

The poor report on handling stunting amidst a high budget has made the public angry. The government's performance in handling stunting has also been questioned. Various wild speculations are circulating that stunting is being made a project object by certain parties. Until there is an impression that the issue of stunting is being deliberately exploited for momentary gain.

Also read: Decline in Stunting Slows Down

Head of the NTT Health Service, Iien Adriany, did not want to comment on the increasing prevalence of stunting in NTT. "When (time) is free, we'll let you know, OK," he said. Iien recently filled this position.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

Toddler children in Tesabela Village, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, are growing healthy thanks to the consumption of moringa, as seen in September 2022. The number of malnourished toddler children has decreased.

Nevertheless, Acting Governor of NTT Ayodhia GL Kalake on a number of occasions reminded stakeholders, including regional heads in districts/cities, to work together to overcome stunting. During his visits to the community, he often distributes nutritious food symbolically.

Ayodhia always encourages the community to consume nutritious food that can be obtained from the surrounding environment. She invites the public to consume nutritious local food.

He also admitted that stunting is closely related to poverty. Many poor people are unable to access nutritious food and healthy sanitation.

'Stunting' can be prevented since preparing for pregnancy.

To halt the rate of increase in stunting rates, the Head of Representative of the NTT National Population and Family Planning Agency, Dadi Ahmad Roswandi, suggested that interventions for families at risk of stunting be strengthened. The intervention took the form of providing nutritious food and building access to clean water and latrines.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

Moringa is often found in East Nusa Tenggara, as seen in September 2022. This area is the best habitat for moringa.

For the long term, the community must be made aware to plan carefully before starting a family. One of them is to prepare for the pregnancy process. Prospective mothers must be truly healthy and have sufficient nutrition.

"Stunting can be prevented since preparing for pregnancy," he said.

Vinsen Kia Beda, Director of the Pijar Timur Indonesia Foundation, said that the increase in stunting rates in NTT amidst the large amount of budget being disbursed was a bad report for the government. He encouraged the government to be more serious. Handling of stunting is not only symbolic as is often shown today.

"Don't make this a project either. Handling stunting is humanitarian work," said Vinsen, who is often involved in stunting handling programs on the island of Timor.

It is also hoped that the public will become more aware of unintentionally "maintaining stunting". There are parents who deliberately let their children continue to receive assistance from the government.

Also read: "Stunting" has started to become a concern for politicians