Pursuing the Target of 0% Stunting, UNISA Yogyakarta Lecturers Collaborate with ‘Aisyiyah Cadres in the Palace

The number of families at risk of stunting in Yogyakarta City, which reached 33% in 2022, is a serious concern. In response to this, a team of lecturers from Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (UNISA) Yogyakarta collaborated with the Nasyiatul ‘Aisyiyah Branch Leadership (PCNA) Kraton to reactivate the Nasyiatul ‘Aisyiyah Millennial Youth Health Post (PasmiNA).

This step was taken because the most effective prevention of stunting begins long before pregnancy, namely during adolescence. The Community Partnership Program (PKM) team from UNISA Yogyakarta provided intensive training to new PasmiNA cadres.

The head of the PKM team, Bdn. Esitra Herfanda, S.ST., M.Keb., explained that the cadres were equipped with various skills. These include understanding reproductive health, adolescent nutrition, anthropometric measurement techniques (weight and height), and early detection of anemia through hemoglobin (Hb) testing.

“The trained cadres will conduct health examinations and provide counseling for their peers,” Esitra stated in her remarks.

After the training, the cadres immediately began providing health services. The teenagers who were examined said they were happy to be able to find out their nutritional status and health condition, something they rarely had access to before.

Funded by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, the program does not stop there. The UNISA Yogyakarta lecturer team will continue to monitor the implementation of health services and has established cooperation with the Kraton Community Health Center to ensure the program’s sustainability.