Dexa Group and BKKBN Collaboration to Pursue Stunting Reduction Target of 14% in 2024

Dexa Group partnered with the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) RI to host an Exclusive Nursing and Education program for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers in Brebes Regency during the First 1,000 Days of Life. This program was carried out as a joint commitment to accelerate the reduction of stunting in Indonesia by 14% by 2024, also because of the high prevalence of stunting in Brebes Regency, Central Java which reached 28%.

dr. Hasto Wardoyo, the chairman of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), stated that the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo urged that young mothers receive greater attention from the government since they are still productive. It is intended that this stunting prevention education program would boost pregnant women’s awareness of how to prevent stunting.

“As a result, we appreciate all parties who have contributed to the fight against stunting, especially Dexa Group, which has gathered and educated pregnant women, nursing moms, and midwives, who are the program’s target audience. Mothers must provide exclusive breastfeeding for six months to prevent stunting in their children. If things don’t go as planned, Dexa Medica has products produced from katuk plants, torbangun, and cork fish,” said Mr. Hasto Hardoyo on Saturday (22/10/2022) during the Education and Exclusive Breastfeeding event in the First 1,000 Days of Life in Brebes Regency.

Mr. Harris Turino Kurniawan, Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives for the IX Region, Ms. Yunita Dyah Suminar, Head of the Central Java Provincial Health Office, Ms. Yunita Dyah Suminar, and the Regent of Brebes, Ms. Hj. Idza Priyanti, President Director of PT Dexa Medica Mr. V Hery Sutanto, and the Coordinator of the Brebes.

On the same occasion, Harris Turino Kurniawan, a Member of the House of Representatives for the IX electoral district, praised the BKKBN and Dexa Group’s work in combating stunting, a national concern. Stunting prevention education is deemed necessary in Brebes Regency since the prevalence of stunting remains at 28%, more than double the objective of 14% by 2024.

“Extraordinary praise for the BKKBN in dealing with stunting since the BKKBN is the leading sector in dealing with stunting. However, the BKKBN cannot act alone. They must engage all stakeholders in partnership, especially private pharma companies concerned about stunting prevention. Stunting is a national concern,” Mr. Harris explained.

“Stunting is an issue for everyone. As a result, it is not only the BKKBN’s problem but our problem as a whole. Of course, thanks to Dexa and BKKBN for assisting Brebes Regency in providing solutions through goods manufactured from katuk plants, torbangun leaves, and cork fish that can aid in breast milk production,” Mrs. Yunita stated.

Hj. Idza Priyanti, Regent of Brebes Regency, commended the implementation of Education and Exclusive Nursing in the First 1,000 Days of Life for pregnant women and breastfeeding moms in the Brebes Regency. “Today’s event represents our aim in educating pregnant and nursing mothers to prevent stunting. The maternal mortality rate in Brebes Regency has reached 39 as of October 2022. The children’s mortality rate is at 140. As a result of educational events on stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, it is anticipated that mothers who are pregnant or breastfeeding their children will have children who are clever, productive, independent, and capable of achieving their goals,” stated Mrs. Idza Priyanti.

President Director of PT Dexa Medica, Mr. V. Hery Sutanto, expressed Dexa Group’s intention to participate actively in accelerating stunting treatment in Indonesia. “Dexa Group, in collaboration with the BKKBN, launched an educational program for 1,000 midwives to aid families in preventing stunting. This program is expected to accelerate efforts to reduce stunting prevalence in Indonesia, especially in Brebes Regency. We also hope that via this initiative, educated pregnant women will share their knowledge, allowing the influence to extend to all corners of the archipelago,” stated Mr. V. Hery.

Dexa Group innovates in the pharmaceutical business with its products to prevent stunting, one of which is the HerbaAsimor product, which was produced using Indonesia’s natural ingredients and helps to increase the quality and quantity of breast milk. HerbaAsimor is made from natural Indonesian ingredients such as katuk plants, torbangun leaves, and the bioactive portion of snakehead fish, which is processed using contemporary technology. Asimor is now utilized by nursing women in 32 provinces and over 250 districts/cities throughout Indonesia. HerbaAsimor advantages include increased breast milk quality and quantity. According to PT Dexa Medica’s consumer research data, 8 out of 10 nursing women benefit from HerbaAsimor.

“HerbaAsimor was created from Indonesian biodiversity, which has a Domestic Component Level of more than 80%. This action is consistent with the government’s goal of achieving national pharmaceutical independence, the priority program for spending on locally manufactured goods, and the Bangga Buatan Indonesia program (BBI),” Mr. V. Hery added.

dr. Sigit Laksmana, the coordinator of the Brebes Branch of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Association, discussed the importance of micronutrients in avoiding stunting and preeclampsia, or the condition that occurs before pregnancy.

“Macronutrients serve as our bodies’ equivalent of fuel—proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and others. Micronutrients are tiny yet vital food components, such as vitamins and minerals. To prevent stunting, not only must macronutrients be considered, but micronutrients are equally essential. Micronutrients are very important in avoiding stunting,” said dr. Sigit Lakshmana.

In front of 1,000 pregnant mothers, nursing mothers, and midwives, Chief Strategy Officer Mrs. Ruth Retno delivered a presentation titled Prevent Stunting with Friends of Pregnant Women. Women who are expecting can use this application anywhere in Indonesia. Using this program, families may obtain information on preconception, pregnancy, delivery, nursing, and tracking a child’s growth and development during the first 1,000 days of life.

The Head of Marketing Consumer Health Dexa Medica, Mrs. Irene Dwi Sari, represented the HerbaASIMOR brand and served as one of the presenters by delivering a presentation titled The Success of Exclusive Breastfeeding with HerbaASIMOR.

Based on the 2021 Indonesian Family Profile data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the number of pregnant women in Indonesia in 2021 will reach 4.88 million. Meanwhile, Riskesdas 2018 data shows that babies with low birth weight (LBW) got 11.7%, and 29.5% were born prematurely. In addition, the government targets the prevalence of stunting to decrease from 24.4% in 2021 to 18.4% in 2022.