JAKARTA Anemia problem, both in mother and in children, is important to be a serious concern for various parties. This is because it risks causing stunting that can hinder brain development and optimal growth and development of children, so that it can threaten the realization of the 2045 Golden Generation.
Moreover, Indonesia still occupies the 4th position as the country with the highest prevalence of anemia in Southeast Asia. At least, 1 in 4 Indonesian children under the age of 5 is at risk of developing anemia. Not only children who experience anemia in pregnant women in Indonesia are also still relatively high, which is 27.7%.
The high prevalence of anemia is due to eating patterns that lack daily iron intake, where data shows that 1 in 3 children do not consume iron-rich foods which are one of the causes of the high prevalence of anemia in Indonesia. In addition, other studies conducted on more than 400 pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers show that the average consumption of iron intake is only 44% and 63% of the recommended Nutrition Needs Rate (AKG).
Coinciding with the commemoration of the 74th anniversary of the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI) and the 2025 National Midwives, IBI together with eNutri won awards from the Indonesian Record Museum (MURI) for the category of record-breaking Scringing and Education on Prevention of Anemia to Mothers and Children' by Midwives using the Most Iron Calculators on the ENutri Application. This award is a manifestation of Midwives' commitment and concrete proof of their strategic role in supporting the prevention of anemia in mothers and children in Indonesia in order to realize the generation of Indonesia free of iron deficiency anemia.
Dr. Ade Jubaedah, S.Keb, Bdn, MM, MKM, General Chairperson of the Central Board of the Indonesian Midwives Association (PP IBI) said that the MURI Record award achieved was proof of the great contribution of midwives in providing health services to the public, especially in efforts to prevent anemia in Indonesian mothers and children. The achievement of screening and education records for prevention of anemia in mothers and children through the Real Action Movement of Bidan Cegah Anemia has been carried out by 31,864 Midwives using the Iron Substance Calculator on eNutrical applications and has succeeded in reaching 57,509 pregnant and lactating mothers and 314,891 children throughout Indonesia.
"We believe that integrated anemia screening in every midwife's daily service is an important key to achieving this target. Therefore, since February 2025 we have started the Bidan Prevents Anemia Real Action Movement, one of the initiatives and commitments from IBI together with eNutri which seeks the screening and education movement to prevent iron deficiency anemia for mothers and children. This movement becomes very important in early intervention in preventing anemia cases, especially before significant symptoms arise and causes various serious problems for mothers and children in Indonesia," said Ade Jubaedah.
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As an effort to increase the active role of Midwives in supporting the prevention and screening of iron deficiency anemia in Indonesian mothers and children, IBI has also launched recommendations, including: Midwives must play an active role in the prevention and screening of Iron Deficiency Anemia (ADB); Regular screening of ADB for children as well as pregnant and lactating women in primary health services; Non-Invasive Screening Equipment such as Iron Calculator (on eNutri applications) can be one of the tools to help with early detection of the risk of iron deficiency in primary health services, as well; Midwives can actively recommend and educate parents related to iron-fortified foods as well as assist the Ibu and Children iron supplementation program.
"We urge Midwives throughout Indonesia to continue to educate about the importance of ensuring the adequacy of daily iron in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children to prevent anemia. This is because the condition of iron deficiency anemia will inhibit children's optimal growth and development, especially children's intelligence, and can even be a cause of stunting risk. Likewise, the condition of iron deficiency anemia in mothers that not only affects mother's health, but can also have an impact on growing child's development since the womb. We really appreciate collaboration with eNutri applications, especially the features of the Iron Substance Calculator which are very useful and can be easily used in the health services of midwives spread throughout Indonesia, especially in an effort to prevent iron deficiency anemia in mothers and children, added Ade Jubaedah.
eNutri is a mobile application specifically designed to assist midwives in Indonesia in daily health services. This application provides various features and information that are useful for supporting midwives' professionalism, ranging from the latest scientific information and relevant training materials, consulting features with experts and communication features to facilitate collaboration and information exchange with midwives throughout Indonesia.
To support the role of midwives in screening for iron deficiency anemia, eNutri has also been equipped with an Iron Substance Calculator which is a risk factor screening tool for children (age 6 months 6 years), pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Not only the Iron Substance Calculator, eNutri also has various other informative features that Midwives can take advantage of, namely: Expert Questions, Assistance Devices (Pre-diagnosis), Discussion Forums, Educational Videos and E-Books.
Gladys Samosir, Digital Engagement Lead eNutri, said that she was very proud to be able to achieve MURI's record, which is a form of appreciation from our contribution in supporting the role of midwives in preventing iron deficiency anemia in Indonesian Mothers and Children. Through the superiority of the Iron Calculator feature in the eNutri application which was developed based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) for iron needs that are tailored to the various types of foodstuffs and Indonesian Nutrition Needs (AKG), health workers such as midwives can maximize their function for mothers and children wherever they are held.
"This is also an important factor in our success in achieving the expected screening target. In the future, the collaboration that we have carried out with IBI is expected to continue in a sustainable manner in order to reach more midwives in all corners of Indonesia to provide good health services for mothers and children," he said.
In addition to receiving the MURI Record award, in a series of celebrations of the 74th Anniversary, IBI also gave awards to Midwives who had carried out professional duties at the location and situation of the crisis, such as in Palestine, Myanmar, planes, vehicles and travel. In addition, IBI also held a banner entitled The Role of Midwives to Guard Child Development at the Beginning of Life in the Menteng area, Central Jakarta (24/06).
"As one of the highest proportions in health workers, namely as many as 26.2% of all health workers, midwives have an important role to play in providing health services for mothers and children, especially in increasing early prevention of iron deficiency anemia and overseeing children's growth and development at the beginning of life. In the future, we will continue to open opportunities for collaboration with various parties, as we have done together with eNutri, so that we can further expand the reach of health services for mothers and children in Indonesia," concluded Ade Jubaedah.
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