Indonesians’ Quality and Productivity Threatened

Indonesia has been facing the serious problem of stunting. Basic Health Research conducted in 2007, 2010 and 2013 shows that the prevalence of stunted toddlers was respectively 36.8 percent, 35.6 percent and 37.2 percent.

Kompas/P Raditya Mahendra Yasa

Children from various rural districts are still undergoing treatment for malnutrition and measles in Agats General Hospital, Agats district, Asmat regency, Papua, on Thursday (25/1). Long-term government programs are currently needed to deal with health problems for the people in rural areas of Papua.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The high prevalence of stunting cases is threatening the quality and productivity of the future generation. If the issue is not resolved soon, Indonesia will reap a productivity problem in conjunction with a population boom at the peak of the nation’s projected demographic bonus in 2020-2040.

“Stunting indicates a more serious problem than malnutrition,” nutrition and public health science professor Endang L Achadi of the University of Indonesia said on Tuesday (27/3) at the Stunting Conference in Jakarta.