Jakarta, 23 September 2022 – PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMMAN) is participating in a multi-stakeholder partnership to accelerate the reduction of stunting prevalence in Indonesia. This partnership comprises four private-sector organizations and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) coordination. The partnership was formalized by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the Mission Director of USAID and representatives of the four other partners, witnessed by the Head of BKKBN Dr. (HC). dr. Hasto Wardoyo, Sp. OG. (K) at the BKKBN Auditorium on Friday, 23 September 2022.
The MoU enjoins partners to assist the Indonesian government in building institutional and governance capacities to tackle stunting by implementing evidence-based nutrition interventions and strengthening nutrition services through the health system from the national to the local level. The intention is to reach families at the community level in order to refine and accelerate stunting-reduction efforts. Planned activities include increasing the knowledge and skills of adolescents, prospective brides, pregnant women, and parents of children under two years of age regarding stunting prevention, and increasing institutional capacity and cooperation policies and practices among the stakeholders.
AMMAN supports efforts to overcome stunting in order to develop the healthy, intelligent, productive, and competitive human resources needed for national prosperity. AMMAN Head of Social Impact Priyo Pramono stated that this partnership mirrors the corporate vision to create the best legacy not only in operational aspects but also having a positive impact for the people of Indonesia. “The partnership established by signing this MoU represents our proactive effort to expand social impact by collaborating with organizations and institutions with a similar vision. As the operator of the Batu Hijau mine in West Sumbawa Regency (KSB), the second-largest copper and gold mining company in Indonesia, AMMAN previously initiated a three-year stunting prevention program in KSB in collaboration with the local government to significantly reduce the percentage of stunting prevalence in the district,” explained Priyo.
In his speech, the Head of BKKBN, Dr. (HC). dr. Hasto Wardoyo, Sp. OG. (K) said that health problems such as stunting influence the quality of human resources and noted that President Joko Widodo takes every opportunity to remind Indonesians that they must all work together to create a superior generation to advance their nation. “Stunting profoundly influences the quality of health and education as though a negative impact on intellectual capability. This will tend to offset the advantages of Indonesia’s demographic bonus as the prevalence of stunting is still at 24.4%. Therefore, we would like to thank the private sector for assisting the BKKBN in improving the quality of human resources from upstream to downstream, including intervention in stunting prevalence and improving the quality of education and knowledge for Indonesian children,” explained Doctor Hasto.
USAID Mission Director Jeffery P. Cohen welcomed the participation of BKKBN partners in accelerating stunting reduction. He noted that a stunting program implemented by a single party would not be effective. However, through synergy and assistance from the private sector, the stunting-reduction acceleration program should be able to reach the target of 14% by 2024. “I look forward to expanding the partnership. We respect our private-sector partners for their business activities and their willingness to effect social change,” said Jeffery.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines stunting as a growth and development disorder experienced by children due to poor nutrition, repeated infections, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. The high stunting rate is a fundamental problem that requires attention, as it can affect the productivity of future generations. Based on the Indonesia Nutrition Status Study (SGSI) 2021, the stunting prevalence rate has declined from 27.7% to 24.4%. The government is confident that the nation is on track to reach the target of 14% by 2024.
