Nutrition International (NI) stands as the main development partner actively collaborating with the Indonesian government to advance the cause of Universal Salt Iodization (USI). Since the initiation of this collaboration in 2010, NI has played a pivotal role by providing substantial technical assistance to support the government's efforts in salt iodization. This engagement involves enhancing the capacities of 170 small and medium-scale salt processors, as well as several large-scale salt processors, with a specific focus on adopting appropriate iodization practices in three key salt-producing regions: Central Java, East Java, and West Nusa Tenggara province (Bima and Lombok District).
One significant component of NI's engagement is the technical assistance it offers to enhance salt processors' ability to fortify salt. In addition, NI extends assistance to local Industries and Trade Offices (DITO), which are essential to the careful monitoring and management of USI initiatives. Government agencies, educational institutions, the salt industry, development agencies, and civil society have worked together successfully to achieve the sustained elimination of iodine deficiency. The Provincial GAKI- Universal Salt Iodization- Iodine Deficiency Disorder (USI-IDD) Team is in charge of directing these diverse projects, with an emphasis on the GAKI Teams functioning within the two largest provinces that produce salt in Indonesia, Central Java, and East Java. As a result of their leadership position, these two provinces' administrative frameworks must provide a strong USI monitoring system. A key takeaway from this collaboration is the recognition of the urgent need for all stakeholders at both the national and state levels to work together in a coordinated and efficient manner.
However, the current deprioritized intervention by the Indonesian Government in salt iodization poses challenges in terms of coordination, monitoring, and the supply chain of salt iodization. Even after the provincial GAKI (USI-IDD) team has been in place for over 20 years, difficulties remain, especially when it comes to managing the inter-district trade in iodized salt. It has been observed that districts or producers sending iodized salt to other regions are often the source of non-compliant edible salt. Therefore, the Central and East Java provincial governments must intervene to address issues related to this salt supply chain.
The withdrawal of the Ministry of Home Affairs Decree number 63 / 2010 on the prevention of Iodine deficiency disorder at the sub-national level led to the lack of independence of the provincial GAKI (USI-IDD) team to allocate their budget. As a result of the lack of allotted finances, Team GAKI found it challenging to independently allocate the budget for activities. Regular meetings for the GAKI team in Central and East Java have been suspended as a result of this government priority decrease impacting the monitoring of salt consumption iodization, which is supposed to be handled by the DITO.
On the other hand, Nutrition International's regular monitoring system has identified challenges in the fortification process, where the proper mixing of potassium iodate is lacking, resulting in production not meeting national standards. This issue may be attributed to layout and unsuitable mixing processes. Therefore, it is deemed crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to conduct Quality and Control (Q&C) independently for cost efficiency. Nevertheless, SMEs face a hurdle as reagent supply is unavailable, and they currently rely solely on external reagent supply for Q&C.
Nutrition International plans to address this challenge by enhancing the industry's capacity to produce the reagents themselves, providing a sustainable solution to this critical issue. Therefore, NI is seeking services from agency(s) that have experience and capacity to provide technical support for GAKI team, USI monitoring and enforcement and organize training for DITO and salt processors. NI would ideally look for agency to conduct this activity in Central Java.
Kindly find the detailed RFP along with TOR and Budget Template in the link as follows:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EhK9An3w7AY4-e29CutHMs6QVrVmjUiF?usp=sharing
The submission deadline for proposals is Thursday, January 25, 2023 by 24:00 HRS. West Indonesia Standard Time.
The Technical and Financial Proposal in two separate files put into a covering email specifically indicating the subject line “RFP 2003-XX: Support for Salt Iodization Program Implementation in Central Java Province” and should be sent by email to: proposalsindonesia@nutritionintl.org
Best regards
Nutrition International
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