Reducing the Number of Stunting, SDM PKH is Requested to Give Attention to the Nutrition of Family Beneficiaries

MALANG (February 28, 2023) – Family Hope Program (PKH) becomes the government's flagship program for poverty alleviation. One of the successful keys of the program implementation is the readiness and professionalism of the Human Resources (SDM) program managers.

Besides ensuring the social assistance is delivered and well-managed by the Family Beneficiaries (KPM), SDM PKH has to establish KPM’s understanding through Family Capacity Building Meeting (P2K2).

Now, SDM PKH has additional tasks, as PKH is not focused on overcoming poverty only, but also on handling stunting.

“Based on Ministry of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini’s instruction, SDM PKH is requested to give attention to the nutrition of KPM to reduce the number of stunting,” said Director General of Social Protection and Security Robben Rico in PKH Consolidation 2023 with SDM PKH Malang City, Malang Regency and Batu Regency in Malang, recently.

She entrusted hundreds of SDM PKH throughout Malang for the program can be carried out properly. "I have mapped out P2K2 (substances) to be strengthened so that later there will be additional nutrition given in P2K2," said Robben.

P2K2 is a mandatory activity to follow by KPM PKH. In P2K2, KPM receives various educative materials, starting from family financial management, children care, and education, to knowledge about health and nutrition for pregnant women.

According to Robben, the strengthening of additional nutrition is based on his observation of P2K2 implementation he has monitored so far. "As I saw that in P2K2, it was good, but it always emphasis on education, education, and education only," he said.

He hopes, he continued, the theory is followed by real actions. "When we’re talking about stunting, but isn’t followed by giving them nutrition, it's nonsense," he said.

For this reason, he asks SDM PKH throughout Malang to coordinate with the Health Service (Dinkes) regarding the exact nutritional needs of KPM, bearing in mind that nutritional needs in each region are different.

"So, don't just give them nutrition, but ask Dinkes, what they need. For example, the one here, if they need fish, give them fish! Don't give them sweet potatoes! Instead of getting smarter, they’re full only. Ask Dinkes because the needs of each region is various," said Robben.

Robben's statement is in line with one of the implementation of Ministry of Social Affairs' policy in terms of PKH's contribution to stunting prevention through health and nutrition material for pregnant women in P2K2.

Delivery of the Health and Nutrition Module to KPM PKH is intended to provide education to increase positive practices to encourage changes in the health behavior of KPM PKH, especially pregnant women, in terms of health and nutrition.

Previously, Robben said, he instructed the SDM PKH staff in Kediri Regency to give the first nutrition trial. "Alhamdulillah, everything went well. Then, yesterday there was also one, already running in Magetan, Ponorogo, and its surroundings. After this, it will also be held in Malang," he said.

For the hard work of SDM PKH throughout Malang in helping Ministry of Social Affairs ensures that this program runs well, especially during the two years of Minister of Social Affairs Risma's leadership, representing Risma, Robben also expresses his appreciation.

“You are the spearhead of the success of this program. As the success of PKH implementation, of which is determined by the quality of the SDM, whose job is to provide assistance and services to the beneficiaries. Therefore, we’re thankful and I hope you keep up the spirit of carrying out noble tasks," he said.

Public Relations Bureau
Ministry of Social Affairs RI