SG Ayomi Program Helps Handle Malnutrition Cases in Villages
Rembang - Malnourished children in four villages in Gunem and Rembang Regencies were targeted by the Semen Gresik Ayomi (Ayo Optimalkan Gizi/Let's Optimize Nutrition) Program. This leading cement company contributed positively to the problems of malnutrition and stunting, which indeed became serious concerns of the government.
The four villages targeted by the SG Ayomi program included Kajar, Timbrangan, Pasucen and Tegaldowo. Sixteen children with severe malnutrition cases were helped through the program in collaboration with the Technical Implementation Unit of Gunem Community Health Center (Puskesmas Gunem).
Nutritionist of Puskesmas Gunem Nuruz Zahrotun Nisa said that SG Ayomi program definitely helped her staff handle malnutrition cases. Nutrition fulfilment of malnourished children who came from underprivileged families was achieved along with the program.
He exemplified AZ, an under-five child from Pasucen Village. In early January 2020, when first joined the SG Ayomi program, AZ, who was 14 months old, weighed only 7 kilograms. However, after nearly six months, his weight had increased significantly, and currently, it reached 8.3 kilograms.
"The malnourished children’s families were also greatly helped, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, because most of them are classified as lower-middle-class," Nuruz Zahrotun Nisa said on Wednesday (06/17/2020).
The SG Ayomi program was first launched in September 2019. At that time, one of the under-five children assisted by SG Ayomi was Laila Qurrota Ayuni, a daughter of a married couple Mukijan (45) - Ngamijah (32). In addition to supporting and providing nutrition, Semen Gresik also provided IDR 5 million to cover Laila Qurrota Ayuni's care in the hospital. Laila's parents were classified as a poor family and were not yet registered as recipients of the BPJS Health program.
In 2020, PT Semen Gresik re-budgeted tens of millions for the SG Ayomi program. The budget was allocated for various activities, starting from monitoring child care and providing periodic nutrition enhancements periodically to providing assistance for malnourished under-five children who were undergoing treatment in the hospital.
According to Nuruz Zahrotun Nisa, the SG Ayomi program helped accelerate the decline of malnutrition cases in her work area. Based on the results of the data collection, currently, there were still 37 children with malnutrition spread in 16 villages in Gunem district. If the handling of 16 malnourished children of this year targeted by the SG Ayomi program was completed, then nearly half of the cases would be resolved.
"Hopefully, in 2021, the SG Ayomi program is still implemented. Also, we hope that the activities can also be directed to other villages in Gunem district with malnutrition cases," she hoped.
Head of Public Relations and Community Development Unit of PT Semen Gresik Syaichul Amin said that the SG Ayomi program was in line with the government program which was also concerned in dealing with malnutrition cases. This case indeed should not be considered trivial because chronic malnutrition can trigger the emergence of stunting. Stunting is the impaired growth on a child's body for his/her age. It is typically characterized from stunted body, low immune system, to non-optimal cognitive ability.
"Malnourished children must obtain optimal treatment because they are also the nation's future generation candidates. So, Semen Gresik is also committed to guarding them," said Syaichul Amin.
