Last year, the stunting prevention program, supported by PHMF and other generous donors, kicked off in February 2024. Since then, it has made remarkable strides in improving the health of pregnant mothers and young children. Initially, five Integrated Health Posts (Posyandu) were involved, where the percentage of stunted children aged 0 to 5 years ranged from 20% to 44%.
One of the primary goals of the program was to support pregnant mothers, and the results have been encouraging. Originally aiming to assist 50 pregnant women, the program has far exceeded expectations by reaching a total of 92 mothers as of December 2024. During the project period, 51 babies were born, all of whom showed healthy nutritional status with no signs of stunting at birth.
Comparative data indicates that these babies are significantly healthier at 3 and 6 months compared to those born to mothers who were not part of the program. This positive outcome highlights the effectiveness of the program’s holistic approach to maternal and child health.
A key factor in sustaining these results is the improved knowledge of volunteer health workers, known as “kader.” Through training and capacity-building efforts, kader now have a deeper understanding of stunting prevention, allowing them to continue providing quality support to their communities.
Despite the program’s success in reducing stunting, anemia among pregnant women remains a challenge, particularly in West Java. While some regions have shown a decrease in cases, the prevalence of anemia is still relatively high, signaling the need for more intensive prevention and treatment strategies moving forward.
By empowering pregnant mothers, enhancing the knowledge of health volunteers, and identifying areas that need further attention, the stunting prevention program is making a real difference in the lives of children and families in Cipanas, West Java.
A heartfelt thank you to the Priscilla Hall Memorial Foundation and all our donors for making this impactful program possible.
