USK Student Real Action Educated Mothers To Prevent Stunting

Students of the Faculty of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University, educate the mother of PKK to make nutritious food in Banda Aceh, Sunday. (ANTARA/M Haris SA)

The role of young people in stunting prevention efforts is increasingly evident through various concrete actions in society. Through a better understanding of health and nutrition, the younger generation, especially students, contributes to increasing public awareness about the importance of stunting prevention.

They carried out various initiatives, such as education, assistance, and nutrition campaigns aimed at reducing stunting rates in various regions. One of these concrete actions was carried out by students of the Faculty of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University (USK) Banda Aceh.

Students who are members of the USK Center for Indonesian Medical Student Activities (CIMSA) actively educate mothers in preventing stunting and malnutrition. This activity targets PKK cadres in Gampong Punge Jurong, Meuraxa District, Banda Aceh City, as part of a program to increase people's capacity.

"This education aims to increase the understanding of mothers about the importance of preventing stunting and malnutrition. With better knowledge, it is hoped that they can apply healthy parenting and diet for their children," said Activities Coordinator, Azfalurrahman Zaki, in Banda Aceh, as quoted by ANTARA.

USK Faculty of Medicine students see the high stunting rate in Banda Aceh as an issue that must be addressed immediately. The data shows that in 2023, the prevalence of stunting in this city will reach 21.7 percent. Therefore, they took the initiative to contribute to suppressing this figure through education and assistance for mothers.

This education is part of the "Growing Without Stunting" program, which is designed as a form of student service in an effort to reduce stunting rates and improve children's health. Mothers who have received this education will later become fostered by students in implementing a healthy lifestyle for their families.

This activity was carried out in several sessions, where the first meeting focused on basic understanding of stunting, nutrition, and how to detect these conditions early. In addition, the importance of sanitation and environmental hygiene is also part of the material delivered.

Not only theoretical, this education is also equipped with practices, such as how to make nutritious food for children and concrete steps in preventing stunting and malnutrition. This program is designed to be sustainable, so that mothers who have received education can share knowledge with other mothers in their environment.

Head of the Family Empowerment and Welfare Mobilization Team (TP PKK) Gampong Punge Jurong, Nurul Rizky Nanda, appreciated student initiatives that have contributed to increasing public awareness about stunting prevention.

"We are greatly helped by this education, because it adds insight in maintaining the health of children to avoid stunting and malnutrition. We hope that this program will continue so that more and more mothers will benefit," said Nurul Rizky Nanda.

Through real actions like this, students are not only agents of change in the academic field, but also play an active role in creating a healthier generation and free stunting.