Jakarta, 28 Januari 2024
Indonesia is set to reach its golden age in 2045. In that year, Indonesia will be officially 100 years old, and it is targeted to have become a prosperous and advanced nation, on par with other developed countries.
To achieve this, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized the need for a future generation of healthy and intelligent citizens. Therefore, the nutritional needs of every Indonesian child must be ensured.
“If our children are not healthy and not intelligent, Indonesia cannot become a developed country. The President wants us to become Indonesia emas (golden Indonesia). If we want our children to be healthy and intelligent, they must not lack nutrition. Because if they lack nutrition, they will not be able to be intelligent when they grow up,” said the Minister during the peak of the 64th National Nutrition Day celebration held at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta on Sunday, January 28, 2024.
To ensure adequate nutrition and nutrients, the Minister stated that there are at least 3 important steps that must be taken by health cadres at the Integrated Health Post (Posyandu) as the front line in improving public health.
First, the Minister encouraged health cadres to regularly measure weight and height of children at the Posyandu on a monthly basis.
“Secondly, if the weight and height do not increase, they must be immediately referred to a doctor at the community health center, to see if there are any problems,” said the Minister.
Third, children with nutritional problems should be given complementary foods rich in animal protein along with breast milk. Because animal protein contains the micronutrients needed to support a toddler’s brain development.
“The food can be anything, as long as there is animal protein such as eggs, fish, meat, to ensure that the nutrition is not lacking, so that the children are intelligent and healthy,” said the Minister.
Director General of Health Services Maria Endang Sumiwi added that in complementary foods, the provision of animal protein should be sufficient. Because when a child is 6 months old, their nutritional needs cannot be met exclusively by breast milk.
“If possible, two types and that should be given every time they eat. The Ministry of Health has issued many guidelines, recipes and tips that can be accessed at ayosehat.kemkes.go.id,” said Director General Endang.
The provision of animal protein, she added, should also not only be given when the child consumes a heavy meal, but should always be included in snacks as well.
Director General Endang added that to monitor the effectiveness of providing animal protein in a child’s growth and development, parents should conduct monthly monitoring. If the child’s weight does not increase, they should immediately check with the doctor at the community health center for further intervention before it’s too late.
National Nutrition Day is commemorated every January 25th. This year’s theme for National Nutrition Day is “Complementary Foods Rich in Animal Protein to Prevent Stunting” with the slogan ‘Quality Complementary Foods for the Golden Generation’.
The goal of the 64th National Nutrition Day celebration is to promote the provision of complementary foods rich in animal protein through a series of activities from the central level to the community level, involving various parties, both government and private.
This news is broadcasted by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia’s Communication and Public Service Bureau. For further information, please contact the Ministry of Health’s hotline number through the Halo Kemenkes hotline at 1500-567, SMS at 081281562620, and email at kontak@kemkes.go.id.
Head of the Communication and Public Service Bureau
Dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, M.Epid
