As many as 266 neighborhoods (RW) in South Jakarta have been freed from Open Defecation (BABS).

South Jakarta Health Sub-agency Head, Yudi Dimyati said the 266 RWs were free from open defecation after undergoing data collection and the Total Community-Based Sanitation (STBM) declaration.

"This STBM declaration with the commitment to stop open defecation together with the community has been conducted in 10 sub-districts," he expressed, Friday (2/7).

He detailed those 10 sub-districts were Cilandak (23 RWs), Jagakarsa (26 RWs), Kebayoran Baru (40 RWs), Kebayoran Lama (27 RWs), Mampang Prapatan (12 RWs).

Then Pancoran (25 RWs), Pasar Minggu (21 RWs), Pesanggrahan (30 RWs), Setiabudi (30 RWs), and Tebet (32 RWs).

"There are already ten sub-districts whose RWs use septic tanks. They are Lebak Bulus, Melawai, Pulo, Selong, Senayan, Cikoko, Petukangan Selatan, Guntur, Karet Semanggi, and Setiabudi," he explained.

To achieve the target of being free from open defecation, he explained, health elements would keep collaborating with other stakeholders, including the private sector, to promote socialization and education to the public to prevent them from disposing of waste directly into rivers or streams.

"Mr. Mayor wants South Jakarta to be free from open defecation within one to two years," he added.

In its challenges on the ground, South Jakarta still has residential houses located along the riverbanks. This leads to limited land for building septic tanks.

By no longer dumping waste or garbage into the river, he hoped that it could help reduce the rates of stunting and have an impact on environmental sustainability.

"So, a clean environment certainly makes us all healthy, and toddlers can also be free from signs of stunting in the future," he said.