A team of lecturers from the UGM Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH UGM) organized a stunting prevention program in Sukorejo Village, Boyolali Regency, Central Java.
This activity is planned to be carried out over six months, targeting women’s groups, health cadres, and mothers of toddlers with stunting.
The FKH UGM team consists of Professor Pudji Astuti, Professor Sarmin, Dr. Claude Mona Airin, and Winarsih, in collaboration with lecturers from Jenderal Achmad Yani University Yogyakarta (Unjaya) and Estu Utomo College of Health Sciences, Boyolali.
In a statement to reporters on Tuesday (Jun. 4), Professor Sarmin said the community empowerment program aims to prevent stunting by implementing innovative cow’s milk and moringa processed products.
“We named this food product Susake, short for cow’s milk and moringa, to prevent toddler stunting,” said Professor Sarmin.
Professor Sarmin explained that toddlers experiencing stunting need complete nutritional intake, and this innovative product can support their nutritional improvement.
“Toddlers experiencing stunting require a complete nutritional intake involving various types of food that include plant and animal proteins, as well as other nutrients needed for optimal growth,” he explained.
The Ministry of Education funds this community service program through the Directorate General of Vocational Education to bridge collaboration in the development and application of science and technology produced by universities to benefit society.
In addition to the involvement of the FKH UGM team, lecturers from Unjaya and Estu Utomo College of Health Sciences, including Dr. Tri Sunarsih, Winarsih, Endah Puji Astuti, and Elvika Fit Ari Shanti, supported the training activities on child growth and development for women’s groups and health cadres and were assisted by Alief Nur Insyiroh and Bangun P Nusantoro from the UGM Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP UGM).
Unjaya Midwifery Program lecturer Dr. Tri Sunarsih said they provide training on nutrition fulfillment, child care, health maintenance, child education, childcare, and child protection. Additionally, parents must provide appropriate parenting, with special attention to stimulating child development.
“Thus, we can help stunted children grow healthy and reach their full potential,” she said.
The child rearing and stunting prevention training began on Saturday (Jun. 1) at the Sukorejo Village Hall. Sukorejo Village Head Erik Darmadi appreciated the team’s activities to improve the community’s health and the efforts to prevent stunting in Sukorejo village.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photo: Freepik