Skipjack Tuna and Local Tubers Become Southeast Maluku’s Weapons Against Stunting

RRI.CO.ID, Langgur - Southeast Maluku Regent, Maluku Province, Muhamad Thaher Hanubun, emphasized the importance of efficiency, creativity, and regional self-reliance in supporting development programs, especially in health and public nutrition.

He said limited budgets should not be an excuse to lower service quality. With innovation and optimal use of available resources, strategic programs can still be carried out effectively.

“Public funds belong to all of us. Being able to run activities like this is extraordinary. Maybe in Jakarta such initiatives are commonplace, but here in Southeast Maluku this kind of creativity is something to be proud of. I hope the Communications and Informatics Agency and the media can tell Jakarta that despite constraints, Southeast Maluku can still create and produce the best,” the regent said during a training session for Posyandu (integrated health service post) cadres on supplementary feeding based on local foods at Ohoimel Resort, Southeast Maluku Regency, Maluku Province, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

The regent said Southeast Maluku’s natural resources are a major asset for improving public health. Local commodities such as fish, tubers, and vegetables are nutrient-rich and can be used to accelerate reductions in stunting.

He urged health cadres and the community to maximize local foods as household nutrition sources.

“From us, processed by us, for us. Skipjack tuna, tubers, and various local vegetables are local wisdom that must be developed. This is not just culture but a real strength in lowering stunting and improving the health of children in Southeast Maluku,” he said, as quoted by infopublik.id.

The regent noted the prevalence of stunting in Southeast Maluku has been steadily declining, from about 32 percent in 2018 to 10.31 percent today. Still, the local administration is accelerating interventions for children who remain stunted so prevalence targets can be fully achieved.

“Stunting is not only short stature, but it can also affect a child’s cognitive development. Therefore, I ask the Health Agency head and all subdistrict heads to accurately record the 679 stunted children still identified, with names and addresses. We must know which village, which hamlet, which house, and which family so interventions can be targeted,” he said.

As part of strengthening nutrition interventions, the regent also urged reactivation of the Community Welfare Council (Daskrim) alongside village health cadres. He said the council had previously helped meet community nutrition needs through feeding programs.

“Programs like these need to be revived to address food and nutrition problems,” he said.

The regent explained that holding the training for four community health centers (puskesmas) at one site implements the government’s budget-efficiency policy. Funded through the 2026 Puskesmas Operational Assistance (BOP) budget, the activity is expected to serve as a model for effective, efficient, and high-quality implementation for other puskesmas.

“When activities are combined like this, results are better and the presentation is impressive. Other puskesmas can adopt this model,” he said.

In closing, the regent expressed appreciation for all health workers and Posyandu cadres who have been at the frontline of community health services, especially the women cadres who actively assist villagers.

“For your cooperation and dedication, especially the women cadres at puskesmas, I extend my highest thanks and appreciation. I believe every sincere act of service will bring merit and blessings to us all,” he concluded. ***