Channa.id – A collaborative stunting research initiative conducted by Bina Nusantara University (BINUS), the Government of Serdang Bedagai Regency (Sergai), Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), and PT Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals (MMP) has successfully reduced the stunting rate by 38% in Serdang Bedagai Regency.
The four institutions carried out a six-month research program involving 20 community health centers (puskesmas), 6 sub-districts, and 243 villages across Sergai. The study demonstrated that administering a syrup containing a combination of snakehead fish extract, meniran, temulawak, and honey, developed by PT MMP, effectively reduced stunting prevalence.
Integrated Data Recording Through a Stunting Database System
Prof. Bens Pardamean, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of the Research Team in the Registry Study Report on Stunting Prevalence in Serdang Bedagai Regency, stated that this research innovation implemented systematic data recording through an Integrated Database System.
“Sergai has implemented several stunting intervention programs, including the distribution of PT MMP products, supplementary feeding (PMT), and a combination of both,” said Prof. Bens Pardamean while presenting the research findings during the Stunting Innovation Reflection Event with Bina Nusantara University on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
The event was attended by the Regent of Serdang Bedagai, H. Darma Wijaya, along with regional leaders from various districts and municipalities. Prof. Bens explained that the processes of data recording, storage, and access for analyzing the impact of programs or interventions on the growth and development of stunted children were conducted using the StuntingDB application.
Also present offline were the Head of the Indonesian National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN RI), dr. Hasto Wardoyo, Sp.OG (K), represented by the Deputy for Training, Research, and Development Prof. drh. Muhammad Rizal Martua Damanik, M.Rep.Sc., Ph.D. Other attendees included Prof. Dr. dr. Sarma Nursani Lumban Raja, Sp.OG (K), Dr. rer. dr. M. Ichwan, M.Sc. from the Faculty of Medicine, USU, the USU Faculty of Pharmacy research team led by Imam Bagus Sumantri, S.Farm., M.Si., Apt, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Khairunnisa, S.Si., M.Pharm., Ph.D., and Sutristo, Director of PT MMP.
Significant Reduction in Stunting Cases After Data Validation
The number of stunted children in Serdang Bedagai initially reached 483 toddlers. After the first validation stage, which removed duplicate data, and the second validation stage, the data were refined to 219 toddlers from 17 community health centers.
Research Results Show Channa Syrup Product from PT MMP Provided the Most Significant Impact on Stunting Intervention
After six months of research, participant characteristics showed improvements in height growth, weight gain, appetite, and a reduction in the frequency of fever or diarrhea among toddlers.
“Overall, all three intervention programs demonstrated significant impact. However, the administration of Channa syrup product from PT MMP showed the most significant impact compared to the other two intervention programs,” said Prof. Bens Pardamean, who also serves as Director of the Bioinformatics & Data Science Research Center at BINUS University.
Participants who consumed the Channa syrup product from PT MMP experienced significant anthropometric improvements, with an average increase of 8.45 cm in height and 2.80 kg in body weight over a six-month period.
“The syrup containing a combination of snakehead fish extract, meniran, and temulawak developed by PT MMP has been proven to significantly reduce stunting rates,” Prof. Bens emphasized.
PT MMP’s Commitment to Mother and Child Health Products Based on Indonesian Natural Resources
Meanwhile, Sutristo, Director of PT MMP, explained that the company focuses on developing health products for mothers and children, utilizing Indonesia’s natural resources, particularly snakehead fish (Channa striata) as the main raw material.
The developed products cater to various life stages, including pregnant women, postpartum mothers, breastfeeding mothers, and children.
“To ensure raw material availability, the company has successfully cultivated snakehead fish using organic maggot feed and domesticated broodstock, ensuring sustainability and consistent product quality,” Sutristo stated.
Preclinical Testing by USU Shows Promising Results for Stunting Intervention
Preclinical testing of the syrup formulation containing a combination of snakehead fish extract, temulawak, meniran, and honey was also conducted by the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara.
“Supplementation of the combined extracts in syrup form administered to test animals at a dose of 135 mg/kg body weight showed the best activity, followed by doses of 90 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg,” explained Imam Bagus Sumantri, Head of the Preclinical Testing Research Team.
Snakehead fish (Channa striata) is a local natural resource with high nutritional potential, containing a complete profile of essential amino acids that closely matches the body’s requirements, thereby supporting efforts to prevent malnutrition.
Meanwhile, temulawak, meniran, and honey contain compounds known to improve appetite. “The data indicate that the combination of snakehead fish extract, temulawak, meniran, and honey represents a promising approach for stunting intervention,” Sutristo concluded.
Source: Media Indonesia