Payakumbuh Government Of West Sumatra Checks The Health Of Bride And Groom For 3 Months Pre-wedding

The signing of the commitment between the DP3AP2KB Office and the Payakumbuh Government Ministry of Religion Office to check the health of the bride and groom for 3 months pre-wedding (Via ANTARA)

PAYAKUMBUH - Payakumbuh City Government, West Sumatra, inaugurated a health examination program for prospective brides (catin) three months before marriage. This examination is expected to prevent stunting in children.

Payakumbuh Government Assistant I, Dafrul Pasi, said several mentoring programs and health checks three months before marriage were to check the eligibility of prospective mothers who are already planning a pregnancy.

"The condition of prospective mothers in Indonesia, especially in Payakumbuh City, needs to be escorted. If the prospective mother is examined three months before marriage, then we can correct what disease she is suffering from, for example anemia by taking blood-added tablets to increase hemoglobin (Hb)," he said at Payakumbuh, Antara, Friday, June 17.

This program is an initiative of the Office of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection and Family Planning Population Control (DP3AP2KB) and will work closely with the Office of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) and the Payakumbuh City Health Office.

The agency has also made a joint commitment to stunting prevention by inaugurating a three-month pre-wedding health check program a few days ago.

He said that according to BKKBN data, 37 percent of young women had anemia or had an Hb count of less than 11.5 percent. When young women become pregnant women, that number actually rises to 48 percent.

The anemia suffered by the mother-to-be then makes the growth in the mother's womb infertile and has the potential to give birth to a baby in a stunted state.

"Through an examination three months before marriage, expectant mothers will receive assistance to carry out health screenings through blood checks, measuring upper arm circumference and measuring height and weight. Through this examination, prospective mothers will also be able to see whether they have anemia or chronic lack of energy. (KEK) or malnutrition," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Payakumbuh City DP3AP2KB Agustion said the results of the examination would be entered into the Elsimil or Electronic Application Ready for Marriage and Ready for Pregnancy so that it could continue to be monitored consistently by the Family Assistance Team (TPK).

"Women whose upper arm circumference is less than 23.5 centimeters may marry. But if you want to get pregnant, you have to increase it first so that your nutrition is fulfilled and the child you are carrying is not stunted,” he said.

He said that apart from the mother-to-be, the father-to-be will also be given counseling to change bad life habits such as smoking or addiction to certain drugs, so that the sperm condition is maintained and of good quality.

Every bride and groom do not need to worry because the examination is only used as a condition for marriage. If the results of the examination contain things that must be corrected, then the bride and groom will receive assistance before planning a pregnancy.

"We are optimistic that this assistance and inspection program will be successful in reducing stunting rates in Payakumbuh City," he said.