JAYAPURA - The National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN) Papua invites local journalists to handle the stunting, through writing and reporting in their respective media.

According to the Head of BKKBN Papua, Nerius Auparai, reporting by journalists is very important to provide an understanding of stunting prevention. Media coverage is also expected to arouse awareness of regional heads in regencies and cities to be more serious about overcoming stunting.

"The report from journalists in the mass media is very important so that everyone can understand about stunting," explained Nerius in Jayapura on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Nerius invited regional heads in Papua, both in Papua Province and 3 New Autonomous Regions, namely Highland Papua, South Papua and Central Papua Provinces, to learn from Tolikara Regency and adopt excellent programs in preventing and overcoming stunting cases.

Tolikara Regency, he continued, has two excellent programs, namely the First 1,000 Days of Life (HPK) which began in 2014 and the School Children's Healthy Breakfast (SARASEHANS) which began in 2023. These two programs are considered by Nerius as populist and appropriate policies to reduce stunting prevalence in the region.

"Some time ago I had a chance to visit Tolikara. They have a Nutrition House where pregnant women and nursing mothers bring their children to be fed."

"In addition, giving meals for preschool and elementary school children every day is amazing and I hope other regional heads can join the same programs," he hoped.

Nerius added that the program of providing nutritious food and regular health services for mothers and children through the First 1,000 Days of Life (HPK) in Tolikara Regency is very useful in overcoming stunting in Papua. ***