Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – The Malang City Government (Pemkot) has made various efforts to reduce the prevalence of stunting. This time, the Malang City Health Office held an Environmental Health Monitoring and Evaluation on the Acceleration of Community-Based Total Sanitation Villages (STBM) 5 Pillars in Supporting Stunting Reduction, Tuesday (18/10/2022).
Head of the Malang City Health Office, dr. Husnul Muarif said that this monitoring and evaluation activity is an assessment of the condition of behavioral changes that have occurred in the community related to the five pillars of STBM. "As a tool to state that the community has achieved the status of the STBM pillars and their declaration. Later, a STBM village certificate will also be given. In addition, it is also an advocacy to stakeholders in order to accelerate the STBM village," explained dr. Husnul.
The STBM program is an approach to shape hygiene and sanitation behavior through community empowerment. There are five pillars in STBM that aim to change community behavior to live cleaner and healthier. The five pillars are stop defecating in the open (BABS), washing hands with soap (CTPS), household drinking water and food management, household waste security (PSRT), and household liquid waste security (PLCRT).
The Mayor of Malang, Drs. H. Sutiaji revealed that the Malang City Government continues to strive to reduce stunting rates. The Mayor said that based on the August 2019-2021 weighing month report data, the stunting rate in Malang City has been reduced from year to year. From 17,48 percent in 2019, then in 2020 it dropped to 14,53 percent, and in 2021 it was at 9,41 percent.
According to him, STBM is one of the important instruments in handling stunting and requires synergy from all parties, especially the community. "The five pillars of STBM can be implemented, when the key is public awareness. The five pillars are also one of the instruments for reducing stunting rates," he said.
Sutiaji further revealed that there are three sub-districts that are pilot projects for STBM sub-districts, namely Cemorokandang, Sawojajar, and Arjosari. "The components have been completed. Pillar one is 100 percent, pillars two to five are at least 50 percent. And God willing, it's just administration, we'll see the documentation. The goal is to reduce our stunting rate," he added.
Continuing this, Sutiaji explained that the STBM program is also related to the reduction in slum areas in Malang City which has reached 80 percent. From 600 hectares, only 70 hectares remain, which means that our value for sanitation will increase.
"This (STBM) is community-based, the community must report, how is the sanitation to inventory. This is already linear with our RPJMD, so we involve DLH and DPUPRPKP. There is already alignment between national priorities and RPJMD regarding the issue of stunting," he said.
Sutiaji also hopes that the results of the monitoring and evaluation can be used as a basis for formulating concrete follow-up steps. "Strengthen the role of the community as the object of STBM. In addition, also involve parties who can make positive contributions to the program," he said.
In the event held at Savana Hotel and Convention, a joint commitment signing for the acceleration of STBM in 54 other sub-districts was held by sub-district heads and village heads throughout Malang City as well as related regional apparatuses. (ari/ram)
