VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, in his capacity as chairman of the Poverty Eradication Acceleration Team (TNP2K), will set up integrated teams in to help children having stunting problem, particularly in 16 districts having high stunting rate.

Vice President Ma'ruf discussed the coordination for the establishment of the integrated teams with Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The national stunting rate dropped to 27.6 percent, however, in certain areas it reached as high as 40 percent, the Vice President said.

"The rates in certain regions remain high, notably 40 percent, 39 percent, or 35 percent. In those areas, the rates are above the national rate," he added.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Tito Karnavian said the Vice President instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs as a coordinator in fostering and overseeing local governments, to help reduce the prevalence of stunting.

"The stunting prevalence is still relatively significant and he (the Vice President) wants it to be reduced to 14 percent," Tito said after meeting Vice Ma'ruf Amin at the Vice President's Office, in Jakarta, on Wednesday .

The ministry will target each of the 160 districts having high stunting rates, in the stunting rate reduction efforts which will involved several other ministries and institutions.

"There are 160 districts in red zones. They must be addressed by conducting integrated activities. The 160 districts might be divided into 16 regions, then each region will be handled by one team, meaning there will be 10 integrated teams," Tito explained.

To follow up the regional stunting handling, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin will immediately summon officials from 16 relevant ministries and institutions for a coordination meeting. (ANTARA)