Depok, February 26, 2025 – The Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia (FFUI) has conducted a Community Service (PengMas) activity with the theme "Efforts to Prevent Stunting through Screening and Education on Nutritional Status of Adolescents, Mothers and Children in the Baduy Community, Tangerang, Banten, and Panggang Island, Seribu Islands ." This activity aims to provide education and health screening related to anemia and stunting, which are still major problems in several areas, including the Seribu Islands.
The Thousand Islands, an administrative area of DKI Jakarta, recorded a stunting prevalence rate of 20,50% in 2022. This figure is classified as "moderate." One contributing factor to stunting is anemia, a health problem often underestimated, yet it can significantly impact child development. Therefore, it is crucial to raise public awareness of the importance of early anemia detection and stunting prevention through education and appropriate medical intervention.
apt. Tri Wahyuni, M.Biomed., Ph.D., or more familiarly known as Mrs. Uni, as the Head of the FFUI Community Service Team, said that this Community Service Program generally aims to provide education to the community about the dangers of stunting and how to prevent it. "Here, first, we will conduct health checks that include blood pressure, blood sugar levels, uric acid levels, cholesterol levels, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the people of Panggang Island. Then, we provide education about anemia as a risk factor for stunting through an interactive method using flipbooks. Supported by sponsors, we also distribute necessities such as milk, stationery, multivitamins, and supplements to increase stamina and endurance," she said.
The activity began on Sunday, February 23, 2025, with the FFUI Community Service team departing from Marina Ancol to Pramuka Island, then continuing the journey to Panggang Island. The team conducted a site survey and prepared for the activity on Panggang Island. On Monday, February 24, 2025, it began with education about anemia, followed by a question and answer discussion. After the education, goodie bags were distributed containing multivitamins, milk, additional food, stationery, and supplements for the immune system. The activity concluded with a free health check for the community which included checking blood pressure, sugar levels, uric acid levels, cholesterol levels, and hemoglobin levels.
Representatives of the residents of Pulau Panggang Village welcomed this community service activity positively. Nur Alim, SKM., MAg, Secretary of Pulau Panggang Village, said that this activity can be a bridge in efforts to reduce anemia rates in the community, which is a major risk factor for stunting. Abdul Salam, S.IP, from the Government Section of Pulau Panggang Village hopes that this activity can raise more awareness among the community and strengthen the relationship between the Pulau Panggang community and the academic community of the University of Indonesia. In addition, one of the residents, Mr. Tejo, hopes that similar activities can become an annual event so that the community is more responsive and concerned about their health.
FFUI is not alone, it is supported by several partners and sponsors in making this Community Service Program a success, including PT Ultra Sakti which donated Tj honey products, PT Novell Pharmaceutical Laboratories which donated vitamins, and PT Rohto Laboratories Indonesia which donated Selsun products.
This activity was led by Prof. Dr. apt. Anton Bahtiar, MS, Manager of Research and Community Service of FFUI and apt. Tri Wahyuni, M.Biomed., Ph.D. as Team Leader. Team members consisted of several FFUI Lecturers, namely apt. Indri Yuliani, M.Farm. Klin., apt. Annisa Lazuardi Larasati, M.Farm., Prof. apt. Retnosari Andrajati, MS. Ph.D., and Dr. apt. Febrina Amelia Saputri, M.Farm.
The FFUI student team also participated in this activity, including apt. Munawar Satria (Master's Student), Anhar Muflih, S.Farm. (Pharmacy Professional Student), Haqqi Islami Syafi'i, S.Farm. (Pharmacy Professional Student), Bealda Khairunnisa (Bachelor's Student), Nathalia Graciella Anastacia (Bachelor's Student), Aliyya Hanaa Naila (Bachelor's Student), and Luis Jerycho (Bachelor's Student).
This activity is expected to have a positive impact on the community of Panggang Island, particularly in reducing anemia and stunting rates. This Community Service Program also represents a crucial step in strengthening collaboration between the University of Indonesia and the local community, as well as building collective awareness of the importance of optimal nutritional health.