Anemia Free, IdeaFest 2025 Presents Education On The Importance Of Iron

IdeaTalks entitled Fueling the Future: Fighting Iron Deficiency Anemia, Empowering the Next Generation. (Vessy / VOI)

JAKARTA Anemia of iron deficiency or iron deficiency is still a serious threat hidden for the health of the nation and can have a major impact on the younger generation of Indonesia. This condition occurs because many do not yet realize that iron deficiency not only affects physical health, but also children's learning, concentration, and performance.

Seeing the importance of efforts to continue educating about prevention and overcoming the problem of iron deficiency anemia in Indonesia, in the event IdeaFest 2025 which will take place from October 31 to November 2, 2025 at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC), a session of the IdeaTalks program entitled Fueling the Future: Fighting Iron Deficiency Anemia, Empowering the Next Generation. This discussion session wants to have a dialogue with the creative youth community for various information and education about the importance of young people caring about the problem of iron deficiency anemia that can coexist with the progress of the nation's generation.

dr. I Gusti Ayu Nyoman Partiwi, Sp.A, MARS, Pediatrician Pediatrician, said that there are still many people who do not realize that iron deficiency is a silent condition that can have a major impact on children's performance and future. Moreover, Indonesia still occupies the 4th position as the country with the highest prevalence of anemia in Southeast Asia, where 1 in 3 children and women of productive age in Indonesia are still experiencing iron deficiency.

"Even a survey also shows that 50% of Mothers do not know that the lack of iron can have an impact on intelligence, especially in children. This condition must be a concern for all of us, especially the condition of iron deficiency from an early age can have an impact on disturbances in cognitive development or child intelligence, because iron is an important micro nutritional agent to support a person's learning ability. If these conditions are allowed to have a long-term impact on adults, said doctor Tiwi.

Biomedicalally, iron is one of the elements that forms the core of human life. Hemoglobins in red blood cells that become oxygen vehicles and a number of nutrients are important for the body, have a crucial iron structure. When iron intake is insufficient, the body loses the ability to produce adequate hemoglobin, causing the brain to lack oxygen. The effect is not only on physically weak, but also on cognitive capacity. Lack of oxygen in the brain causes difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and even depression. These conditions can make fitness and dexterity of thinking decrease, which of course can make learning achievements and work productivity decrease.

So that the intake of iron can be met optimally in order to prevent iron deficiency, it is important to ensure complete and balanced nutritional intake that is rich in iron, especially animal protein (iron heme) such as red meat, chicken liver, eggs, fish or from plant-based sources (non-heme iron) such as nuts and spinach. If needed to fulfill iron apart from daily food in accordance with the recommendations of health workers, it can also be equipped with a type of food or drink that is fortified by a combination of Iron and Vitamin C to optimize iron absorption up to 2x folding, "explained dr. I Gusti Ayu Nyoman Partiwi, Sp.A, MARS, who is familiarly called dr. Tiwi.

Shakira Amirah, the 2024 Clash of Champion Champion Champion Champion who is currently a School of Medicine student at the University of Indonesia, believes that the desire to continue learning and developing, as well as support from family, and friends have helped her achieve success. All achievements can be achieved if we have a healthy body, because health and nutrition are the key in order to achieve. Like when I participated in the 2024 season 1 Clash of Champion (COC) competition, I must be able to maintain focus and stamina in order to get optimal results. Fortunately since childhood I have implemented a balanced nutritional diet, especially consuming iron-rich source food from animal protein and milk as well as combined with vitamin C to maintain energy and endurance in order to stay fit and productive. This cannot be separated from the role and support of parents and families who have always ensured the intake of nutritious foods rich in iron since the time of children. These habits also play an important role in supporting cognitive development and focus on learning. I and not getting tired easily, so that I can achieve various achievements like today and can become the winner of COC 2024," said Shakira.

Dr. dr. Ray Wagiu Basrowi, MKK, FRSPH, Medical Science Director Sarihusada said, Sarihusada understands that iron deficiency is a real problem that can hinder the potential of Indonesia's young generation. To that end, fighting iron deficiency anemia is one of Sarihusada's missions to participate in improving public health and forming a strong and competitive generation. In an effort to combat iron deficiency anemia, Sarihusada has made various efforts to support the provision of innovation of nutritious products, one of which is to focus on supporting the handling and prevention of iron deficiency anemia in Indonesia.

In an effort to support the handling of iron deficiency anemia in Indonesia, Sarihusada has carried out various initiatives and collaborations, including:

1. Sarihusada supports efforts to prevent iron deficiency anemia by making early detection tools for the shortage of iron intake of the first child in Indonesia through the Iron Calculator. The results can be known in less than 3 minutes. Iron Calculators can be used easily and independently which can be accessed through the website www.generacy forward.co.id, and can be used as a periodic monitoring tool before further examination by health workers.

2. Sarihusada together with various stakeholders initiated education and screening programs to increase awareness and prevention of iron deficiency anemia. Until now, the number of screenings has exceeded the figure of more than one million.

3. Through Sarihusada's commitment and experience, which has been fighting malnutrition in Indonesia for more than 71 years, continues to innovate in presenting scientific-based nutritional products. One of them, SGM Exploration innovation which is the only growth milk containing IronC(TM), a combination of Iron and Vitamin C which helps absorb iron up to two times. This innovation is part of SGM Exploror's commitment to support optimal iron fulfillment for Indonesian children.

4. In addition to presenting product innovation, Sarihusada also provides Nutri-Care Experts nutritional education services that can be accessed 24/7 via telephone or social media. This service collaborates with professionals who have a background in nutrition, midwifery, and nursing as a form of ongoing support in preventing iron deficiency anemia and improving the health of the Indonesian people.

Fighting anemia for iron deficiency is not only the responsibility of medical personnel, but the movement with the community. Therefore, the need for cross-sectoral collaboration ranging from the government, private sector, community, to the media to build sustainable public awareness about the handling of iron deficiency anemia in Indonesia.

"Through Sarihusada's support and participation in the IdealFest 2025 event, it is hoped that it can encourage more and more young generations to become part of the change towards a healthier, more resilient generation of Indonesia, and ready to face the future," concluded dr. Ray.