Posyandu Can Be The First Place To Detect Stunting And Educated To The Widest Society

The education process carried out by health workers for parents at one of the Posyandu in Natuna. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Posyandu has a crucial role as the frontline in detecting stunting from an early age while at the same time providing direct education to the public, especially parents, regarding the importance of monitoring children's growth.

In Natuna Regency, Riau Islands, local governments continue to optimize the function of posyandu as an integrated health service center that supports the overall growth and development of children.

Through the Health Office, the Natuna Regency Government actively mobilizes health workers in every posyandu service schedule to convey information about nutrition, maternal and child health, as well as the importance of monitoring growth.

According to the Head of the Natuna District Health Office, Hikmat Aliansyah, one of the latest educational activities was carried out in East Bunguran District, along with child health services.

"Every schedule for opening the posyandu is that there are health workers who provide education about health," Hikmat said, as quoted by ANTARA.

The education was given after a series of examinations such as weighing weight, measuring the height, and circumference of the child's head. This method is considered effective because parents can immediately consult and obtain information that is in accordance with the condition of their child.

In addition to increasing knowledge, this activity also aims to help parents recognize the potential for early growth and development problems so that treatment can be given immediately, especially if stunting symptoms are found. Hikmat emphasizes the importance of routine visits to posyandu so that prevention efforts can run optimally.

As part of the stunting control strategy, the Natuna Regency Government has launched a number of intervention programs, including providing blood-added tablets for young women and pregnant women, free examinations at the puskesmas, as well as providing additional food for malnourished children. Not only that, the multi-sector approach is also pursued through the construction of habitable houses, sanitation improvements, slum reductions, and financing of National Health Insurance (JKN) contributions.

In 2024, out of a total of 4,944 toddlers weighing, there were around 500 stunted children. However, there was a positive increase in community participation, where the level of visits to posyandu rose from 59.48 percent in May 2024 to 61.25 percent in 2025.

With sustainable education and accurate early detection through posyandu, the local government hopes that the stunting rate in Natuna can be significantly reduced for the future of healthier and more quality children.