Thursday, 03 September 2026
DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - Deputy Regent of Deli Serdang, Lom Lom Suwondo, SS, joined regional governments across North Sumatra in signing a joint agreement to accelerate stunting reduction across the province. The agreement was signed on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during the 2026 Regional Technical Coordination Meeting and Advocacy Event on Stunting Prevention and Accelerated Reduction in Sumatra, held at the Grand Mercure Hotel Medan ballroom.
The agreement reaffirms the commitment of regional governments to implement various strategic measures to reduce the stunting rate while improving the quality of children's physical and mental development. The Deli Serdang Regency Government has committed to strengthening cross-sectoral coordination, optimizing the use of data, implementing targeted interventions, and promoting the empowerment of families and communities.These measures form an important part of establishing a comprehensive approach to tackling stunting—one that does not focus solely on the health sector but also involves various areas directly connected to families' social conditions and welfare.
Deputy Regent of Deli Serdang Lom Lom Suwondo said the joint agreement would strengthen the foundation for cooperation between the regency government, the central government, and other regional administrations in accelerating stunting reduction.
"By signing the agreement on accelerating stunting reduction, Deli Serdang Regency will be further strengthened through cooperation between the central government and regional governments," he said.According to Lom Lom, the government cannot address the stunting problem through a single sector alone. It requires cross-sectoral cooperation and active public participation to ensure that government interventions effectively reach the targeted groups.
"Stunting prevention is not solely the responsibility of the health sector, but requires the involvement of all sectors and the community. Therefore, synergy and cooperation must continue to be strengthened so that the measures taken have a tangible impact on the quality of children's development," he emphasized.This commitment is becoming increasingly important because efforts to tackle stunting are closely linked to family conditions, childcare and parenting, fulfillment of nutritional needs, access to basic services, and the environment in which children grow and develop.
Through stronger coordination and the use of data, the government can identify target groups more accurately. This approach also enables each program to be implemented more effectively, ensuring that government assistance reaches families who genuinely need it.
The regional coordination meeting served as a forum for the central government, regional administrations, and various stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in preventing and accelerating stunting reduction across the Sumatra region.
North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya said stunting does not only affect children's physical growth. The condition can also have long-term implications for the quality of human resources, productivity, and the nation's competitiveness."Stunting prevention and accelerated reduction cannot be handled by a single sector. It requires cooperation involving the central government, regional governments, health workers, the education sector, community organizations, and families," he said.
Surya emphasized the need for consistent cross-sectoral coordination. In addition, the government must use data as a basis for determining intervention targets and adapt its approaches to the characteristics and needs of each region.The North Sumatra Provincial Government continues to strengthen various interventions to prevent stunting. These include improving health services, monitoring the growth of toddlers, promoting awareness of healthy lifestyles, improving access to sanitation facilities, and improving homes that are uninhabitable or do not meet adequate housing standards.
These various interventions demonstrate that accelerating stunting reduction requires a comprehensive approach. The government must not only ensure that children have access to health services and regular growth monitoring, but must also consider environmental conditions and families' ability to meet their basic needs.Community participation also plays an important role in ensuring the sustainability of these programs. Families, as the immediate environment in which children grow, must receive education and support so they can adopt healthy lifestyles and meet children's developmental needs.
In his view, the government must use an integrated data system as the basis for determining intervention targets. The use of integrated data will help the government ensure that each program corresponds to actual needs and reaches families requiring assistance.
A data-based approach is also important to prevent overlapping programs while increasing the effectiveness of interventions on the ground. With accurate and integrated data, regional governments can establish priorities based on the specific conditions in their respective areas.Eddy also reminded stakeholders that the implementation of measures to accelerate stunting reduction continues to be based on Presidential Regulation No. 72 of 2021. The regulation serves as one of the foundations for directing national policies and programs aimed at accelerating stunting reduction.
The agreement signed by regional governments across North Sumatra is expected to go beyond an administrative commitment. Regional governments must translate the agreement into concrete, measurable, and sustainable actions—from the regional level down to individual families.For Deli Serdang Regency, this commitment provides an opportunity to further strengthen coordination with the central government, the North Sumatra Provincial Government, and all stakeholders involved in stunting prevention and reduction.
Through cross-sectoral cooperation, the use of integrated data, targeted interventions, and the participation of families and communities, the government hopes that accelerated stunting reduction will have a tangible impact on the quality of children's growth and development.Ultimately, these efforts are aimed not only at reducing the stunting rate but also at building a healthy, productive, and competitive generation. The success of the program therefore requires consistent government support and the active involvement of all segments of society in implementing interventions—from families to regional governments. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Edi Saputra | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
/home/u7391150/public_html/indatanews.com/theme/function.php on line 28
