UMS Team Tackles Stunting in Wonosobo

Stunting continues to be one of Indonesia’s primary nutrition-related issues and has been included in the National Medium-Term Development Plan (2020-2024). Wonosobo Regency, Central Java, ranks among the top contributors to stunting cases. 

According to the 2023 Central Java Provincial Health Profile, Wonosobo ranked third, with a stunting incidence rate of 15.4 percent in 2022, rising to 29.3 percent in 2023.

To address stunting in Wonosobo, the Community Service Team from the Public Health Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) launched the “Sobo Care Aisyiyah” program to provide training and support for health volunteers. 

Team leader Yeni Indriyani, S.K.M., M.P.H., explained that the program aims to strengthen the role and commitment of village officials, enabling them to contribute to the prevention and management of stunting cases.

The community service event took place from October 18 to 19, 2024, at the Aisyiyah Kalikajar Branch Leadership area in Wonosobo, beginning with an opening ceremony by the Head of Kalikajar Village and Team Leader Yeni Indriyani. 

“The next activity involved presenting the context of stunting in Butuh Lor Village by the Legal and Human Rights Council of Wonosobo's Aisyiyah Regional Leadership, followed by a session on the Policy Brief: Rancangan Kebijakan Pencegahan Stunting Pada Lingkup Pemerintahan Desa, delivered by Miftah Farid, S.H., M.H.,” explained Yeni on Saturday (2/11/2024).

The participants are taking a group photo with the UMS Community Service Team. UMS Public Relations

This was followed by a forum group discussion session led by Yeni Indriyani, S.K.M., M.P.H., and Salsabila Purnamasari, S.K.M., M.P.H.

“This community service went well and was communicative, with various questions from the participants. The participants were enthusiastic and active during the training session. Finally, the activity concluded with a group photo,” Yeni explained further.

According to a representative from the Legal and Human Rights Council of the Wonosobo Regional Leadership of 'Aisyiyah, this community service activity is an excellent effort to coordinate with the local village government, community leaders, and villagers. This initiative is a continuation of an existing program.

On the second day of the community service program, the activities included presentations on stunting, its risk factors, and the long-term impacts by Ns. Wita Oktaviana, S.Kep., M.Kep. This was followed by a session on stunting prevention at the family and community levels by Salsabila Purnamasari, S.K.M., M.P.H. Yeni Indriyani then discussed the role of health workers in stunting prevention, and Bidan Indah Nuraeni, A.Md.Keb., led practical training for the health workers.

The Head of Kalikajar Village expressed hope that this program could reduce and address stunting in Kalikajar. 

“We warmly welcome the UMS team and extend our gratitude with the hope that this program will positively impact the stunting issue in our village,” he stated.

Writer: Fika

Editor: Gede

Translator: Rizal

Source: News UMS