Jakarta – Head of the Health Development Policy Agency of the Ministry of Health (BKPK Kemenkes) Prof. Asnawi Abdullah presented the results of the 2024 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI) in a dissemination activity held online and offline in a panel session on Monday (26/5). The presentation highlighted significant achievements in reducing the prevalence of national stunting as well as challenges that still need to be overcome.
This dissemination activity was held as a form of transparency and public accountability to the results of the national survey which is the main reference in making health policies, especially in overcoming nutritional problems. The dissemination was also attended by representatives from local governments, academics, international organizations, and other development partners.
The Head of BKPK revealed that the prevalence of stunting in Indonesia in 2024 decreased to 19,8%. He emphasized that this achievement had exceeded the projection of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) which previously estimated the stunting rate in 2024 to be around 20,1%. This figure shows positive progress compared to the previous year, which was 21,5%, or a decrease of 1,7%.
In absolute terms, the number of stunted toddlers also shows a significant decline. In 2023, the number of toddlers experiencing stunting is estimated to reach 4,8 million toddlers. However, in 2024 this number was successfully reduced to around 4,4 million toddlers. This means that more than 357.000 toddlers were successfully prevented from stunting. This is considered a strong indication that Indonesia is on the right track (on track) to achieve the target of the 2045 National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN), namely reducing the prevalence of stunting to below 5%.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining this decline to remain consistent every year. "If we want to achieve the 2045 RPJPN target, we must be able to reduce the number of new stunting by 325.000 toddlers every year. This year we have succeeded in reducing new stunting to 377.000. This means that there is a target that has exceeded the Bappenas target," he said.
Furthermore, the presentation also highlights the details of stunting prevalence by age group. It was found that stunting varies by age. At the age of under one year, the prevalence of stunting is relatively the lowest, which is around 11%, at the age of two years it increases to 19,9% with a peak at the age of two and a half years reaching 24,2%.
The SSGI results also noted that the trend of decreasing stunting occurred in almost all age groups. The largest decline occurred in the 12 to 23 month age group.
In addition to age, comparison of stunting prevalence is also done according to socio-economic status. The survey shows a significant gap between poor and rich community groups. In the lowest quintile, the prevalence of stunting reached 29,8 percent, while in the highest quintile it was only around 12 percent. "Children born into relatively poor families have a 2,5 times greater risk of stunting than those born into families with good socio-economic conditions," explained the Head of BKPK.
Prevalence of stunting by province, disparities were found between provinces. The lowest was Bali province (8,7%), the highest was East Nusa Tenggara (37%). 12 provinces showed stunting prevalence below the national average, 24 provinces succeeded in reducing their stunting prevalence. West Java Province showed the most significant decrease, namely from 21,7% in 2023 to 15,9% in 2024 (5,8%). There were 11 provinces experiencing an increase in stunting prevalence and the largest increase occurred in 3 provinces, namely Riau (6,5%), NTB (5,2%), West Sulawesi (5,1%).
"50% of the number of stunted toddlers is concentrated in 6 provinces. The most is West Java because of its large population, followed by Central Java, East Java, North Sumatra and NTT," said Prof. Asnawi.
Prof. Asnawi emphasized that the results of the 2024 SSGI can be trusted because they were implemented with quality assurance which is guaranteed. Response rates census block 97,6% and response rate households visited 85,8%. "SSGI 2024 is implemented by a consortium of PT Sucofindo, PT Surveyor Indonesia and the Nusantara Independent Survey Institute with strict supervision from BKPK, BPS, BRIN and a team of experts."
At the end of his presentation, Prof. Asnawi said that the detailed results of this survey have been compiled in the form of a book called SSGI in Figures which can be accessed via the BKPK website.
(Author Fachrudin Ali/Editor Timker HDI)
