Sunday, July 24, 2022, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) together with the Postgraduate Student Association (HMP) FPH UI held a Public Discussion “Stunting-Free Generation: Healthy My Country, Growing My Indonesia”. This activity is open to the public and held online through the Zoom Meeting platform and broadcast live on the HMP FKM UI Youtube channel.
Coinciding with National Children’s Day, the Head of HMP FPH UI 2022, Dwi Octa Amalia, S.K.M., said in his speech that this activity was a form of commitment in contributing to efforts to accelerate stunting handling as a strategic health issue and a national issue. In addition, this activity is also a momentum to arouse the awareness and participation of the nation in ensuring the fulfillment of the rights of Indonesian children.
“As academics who are part of the penta helix, we should jointly contribute to helping accelerate stunting reduction, one of which is through research and community service,” said Deputy Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs at FPH UI, Dr. Ir. Asih Setiarini, M.Sc., in his speech.
This activity was also attended by Prof. Dr. drg. Sandra Fikawati, M.P.H., as Professor of FPH UI as a resource person who discussed maternal and child nutrition for stunting prevention. Prof. Sandra said that the nutritional status and nutritional consumption of mothers and babies or children play an important role in the First 1000 Days of Life (HPK). 1000 HPK, which is a golden period of growth and development of children, is a determining period for long-term intelligence development.
Furthermore, Muhammad Habibi Syahidi, S.K.M, M.P.H., as Program Manager of the Thousand Cita Bangsa Foundation (1000 Days Fund), explained the results of the innovation program in accelerating stunting reduction.
Through Habibi’s research with the 1000 Days Fund, on efforts to support the effectiveness of using smart posters for stunting education at home and strengthening the ecosystem by training and providing facilities to health workers and cadres related to stunting, it was found that parents who were intervened had a 5 times greater probability of knowing about the dangers of stunting. stunting than those without intervention.
On the same occasion, Pungkas Bahjuri Ali, S.T.P., M.S., Ph.D., Director of Public Health and Nutrition at Bappenas RI explained the policies and challenges of handling stunting during the transition period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are 3 main points in accelerating stunting reduction, namely the preparation of national research priorities covering the division of government roles and regional assistance, strengthening research areas including target data and consumption intake, and strengthening research and innovation networks with universities and non-government think tanks. in the area,” said Pungkas in his presentation.
According to the results of the 2020 Population Census, more than 50% of Indonesia’s population consists of millennials and generation Z. In line with these data, dr. Arti Indira, M.Gizi., Sp.GK., Influencers and Postgraduate Students of FKM UI conveyed that one of the opportunities for using social media that was adapted to the younger generation could be a massive stunting education platform.
This discussion is expected to increase knowledge and provide benefits for the participants who attend the stunting issue. (AHS)
