The Fight Against Stunting in Indonesia: Pertamina’s Role in Improving Children’s Health
Introduction
Stunting remains a major health issue for children in Indonesia, requiring strategic intervention from the government to reduce stunting rates.
Pertamina’s Contribution
State-owned energy company Pertamina, through its subsidiary PT Pertamina Hulu Energi Offshore Southeast Sumatra (PHE OSES), is actively involved in combating stunting. Their flagship program, “Seribu Asa, Selamatkan Stunting dan Gizi Buruk Bersama Pertamina,” focuses on improving the health of stunted children and combating malnutrition in Pulau Harapan and Pulau Kelapa, Kepulauan Seribu.
The Role of Tim Dahsyat
Behind the scenes of the program is the Tim Dahsyat (Mighty Team), consisting of local mothers who are skilled cooks, Posyandu cadres, PKK cadres, nutrition experts from local health centers, and Jumantik monitors to prevent the spread of diseases like dengue fever.
Ensuring Nutritious Meals
Tim Dahsyat provides nutritious meals twice a day to children, including carbohydrates, plant-based and animal protein, vegetables, fruits, and special powdered milk. The quality and hygiene of the food are closely monitored by local nutrition experts.
Community Involvement
The Tim Dahsyat collaborates with the local community to source high-quality protein from fishermen and local vendors, ensuring a sustainable supply of nutritious food.
Positive Results
In 2024, the efforts of the Seribu Asa program yielded positive results. Out of 57 children who received the PMU, 28 no longer fell into the stunting category. Additionally, 29 children in Pulau Harapan and Pulau Kelapa experienced a significant increase in height. The percentage of stunting recovery in Pulau Kelapa reached 30% and 38% in Pulau Harapan.
Impact on Pregnant Women
The PMU given to pregnant women with anemia and chronic energy deficiency also improved their health conditions, as evidenced by increased hemoglobin levels and arm circumference.
Conclusion
The success of the program in 2024 is a testament to the dedication of those involved. With children overcoming stunting and pregnant women benefiting from improved health, the hope is to prevent stunting in future generations.
(Translated into Indonesian by AI)
