UNAIR NEWS – Stunting is a serious threat to a nation’s future. Stunting is a common problem that must also be addressed together. The handling of stunting is currently targeting small groups of people, healthcare center cadres have been formed to deal with this problem.
Nevertheless, the knowledge of cadres on stunting must continuously be improved over time. Therefore, the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Public Health Universitas Airlangga held a stunting cadre development in the working area of the Sukomulyo Healthcare Center, Gresik, on August 20, 2021. Emyr Reisha Isaura, S.Gz., MPH, Ph.D., said approximately 100 cadres were trained in stages.
“There are more than 100 cadres who were given coaching but implemented in stages due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Coaching is done to increase the knowledge of cadres on community nutrition,” she stated.
Emry said that the number of stunting cases in the working area of the Sukomulyo Healthcare Center increased by three times. “During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the stunting rate. As in the working area of the Sukomulyo Healthcare Center, stunting cases were reported to have increased three times, so they needed special attention,” she said.
“The discovery of this reported case requires clarification and verification to avoid data collection errors,” Emyr added.
The activity planned to be carried out from June to September 2021 had to be pushed back to August 2021. “In addition to being given offline training, cadres are also given WhatsApp group facilities as a means for monitoring,” she said.
Cadres are not only given material but are required to play an active role in stunting management. “Cadres will receive various materials about community nutrition, especially knowledge about stunting management. The cadres will be actively involved in finding and assisting cases of toddler stunting until the toddler is declared free from stunting, “explained Emyr.
Emyr hoped that Indonesia can be stunting-free by increasing cadres’ ability and active role in dealing with stunting problems. “With this guidance, hopefully, every case found can be handled comprehensively so the ultimate goal of forming a healthy generation to realize a strong Indonesia can be realized,” she concluded.
Author: Icha Nur Imami Puspita
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
