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.

Read More: Hasim Djojohadikusumo Appreciates and Praises Snakehead Fish Cultivation to Reduce Stunting Rates by PT Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals in Serdang Bedagai, North Sumatra

“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.

Read More: ChannaFit Successfully Provides the Best Impact in Stunting Management Through a Research Collaboration by BINUS, USU, and PT MMP in Serdang Bedagai

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

The post Collaboration Between BINUS University, Serdang Bedagai Regency Government, USU, and PT MMP Successfully Reduced Stunting Rates by 38% in Serdang Bedagai Regency appeared first on Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals.

The meeting was officially welcomed by Prof. Dr. Tirta Nugraha Mursitama, Ph.D., Vice Rector of BINUS; Mr. Budi Sumalim from the Development Acceleration Team of Serdang Bedagai; and Mr. Selamat Hartono, Head of the Serdang Bedagai Health Office. Also present at the meeting was the Director of PT MMP, Mr. Sutristo.

In addition, the research team from USU and BINUS was led by Prof. Bens Pardamean, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. and Prof. Dr. dr. Sarma Nursani Lumban Raja, Sp.OG (K), accompanied by several members of the research team.

Read More: Hasim Djojohadikusumo Appreciates and Praises Snakehead Fish Cultivation to Reduce Stunting Rates by PT Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals in Serdang Bedagai, North Sumatra

Stunting Remains a Major Health Problem Among Toddlers in Indonesia

Many people in Indonesia still do not fully understand what stunting is and how it affects children. Stunting is a condition of chronic malnutrition experienced by toddlers, resulting in impaired height, length, and weight growth compared to children of the same age.

Unlike acute malnutrition, stunting tends to occur as a long-term cycle rather than a temporary nutritional deficiency that can easily return to normal. Even worse, women who experienced stunting during childhood are more likely to give birth to children who also suffer from stunting.

Based on the 2019 Indonesian Toddler Nutrition Status Survey (SSGBI), the national stunting prevalence reached 27.67%, which is still considered high based on the World Health Organization (WHO) standard that targets a prevalence below 20%.

In North Sumatra Province, the stunting prevalence reached 30.11%, with several districts prioritized for stunting intervention programs in 2021. Approximately one-third of the nine million toddlers in Indonesia experience stunting (Ministry of Health Data and Information Center of Indonesia, 2018; UNICEF & Others, 2021).

According to the Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI), Serdang Bedagai is one of the regencies with a higher stunting prevalence than the national average, reaching 36.2% among toddlers aged 0–59 months.

Background and Objectives of the Research Collaboration on Stunting Management

Stunting remains a major health challenge in Indonesia. One of the main factors contributing to the ineffective handling of stunting is the lack of valid databases and the limited implementation of technology for storing stunting data, particularly at the district and village levels.

As a result, appropriate interventions to reverse the negative impacts of stunting cannot be optimally formulated. Therefore, this research collaboration aims to facilitate systematic data collection through a database management system using the StuntingDB application.

Real-time monitoring of stunting prevalence through statistical analysis in this application is carried out on children who are at risk of stunting in Serdang Bedagai. This initiative also supports the local health office in managing data in an accountable and consistent manner.

Based on this database, the Serdang Bedagai Health Office can evaluate stunting prevention programs such as Supplementary Feeding Programs (PMT), both local and national.

Remarks from the Director of PT MMP, Regional Government Representatives, and the Serdang Bedagai Health Office

At the opening of the meeting, Mr. Budi Sumalim from the Development Acceleration Team of Serdang Bedagai and Mr. Selamat Hartono, Head of the Serdang Bedagai Health Office, explained that 20 public health centers (puskesmas) were included in this research and had been visited directly by the BINUS research team.

Stunting problems currently arise mainly from family economic conditions, children’s eating patterns, and inadequate nutritional intake.

Therefore, the regional government and the health office have implemented various efforts to prevent stunting, starting from health education for prospective brides, socialization for pregnant women, direct intervention for toddlers, and improving environmental hygiene and sanitation.

These efforts aim to support the national stunting reduction target of 14% by 2024. Continuing the meeting, the Director of PT Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals (MMP), Mr. Sutristo, expressed his gratitude to the regional government, BINUS, and USU for their support in implementing this stunting research program.

He also emphasized that there is a significant data gap between the results of the SSGI survey and the actual stunting conditions in the field. Therefore, this research plays a crucial role in helping the government clarify real stunting data.

Based on the research results, Mr. Sutristo stated that the six-month study produced positive outcomes. Data showed that toddlers who received ChannaFit experienced faster growth and better weight gain compared to those who only received the PMT program such as biscuits, milk, eggs, and bread.

Presentation of the Research Collaboration Results by PT MMP, BINUS, and USU on Stunting Management in Serdang Bedagai

The research was conducted from July to December 2022 (six months), involving 20 public health centers, 6 urban villages, and 243 villages in Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra. The study participants were toddlers aged 13–59 months who met the stunting criteria (height-for-age z-score between -2 to -3 standard deviations) and were residents of Serdang Bedagai.

A registry study model was applied using the StuntingDB application developed by BINUS as a database system to monitor the growth (height and weight) of stunted toddlers in Serdang Bedagai.

During the research presentation, Reza Rahutomo, S.Kom., M.MSI., explained that there were 486 toddler data records registered in the StuntingDB. Three intervention programs were implemented: government PMT, ChannaFit supplementation, and a combination of both.

During the six-month observation period, 166 toddlers (75%) received ChannaFit, 38 toddlers (17%) received the combination of ChannaFit and PMT, and 14 toddlers (6%) received PMT only. Reza also explained that stunting can be genetically inherited from parents to children.

Role of Snakehead Fish, Meniran, and Temulawak in Stunting Prevention

The presentation continued with Imam Bagus Sumantri, S.Farm., M.Si., Apt., from the USU research team, who explained that stunting not only causes children to become shorter but also affects their cognitive development.

He stated that snakehead fish can be used as a nutritional source due to its high content of protein, albumin, and essential amino acids. Additionally, meniran and temulawak have been scientifically proven to increase children’s appetite.

He also presented a study conducted by the USU team titled “Preclinical Test of a Combination of Snakehead Fish Extract, Temulawak, Meniran, and Honey in Syrup Form for Stunting Prevention.”

This preclinical research aimed to identify the characteristics of the active compounds, the syrup formulation, and the effectiveness of the combination for stunting prevention.

The experimental method used male white rats aged 5–6 weeks with body weights of 100–150 grams. A total of 20 rats were adapted for seven days and divided into two control groups and three treatment groups for 56 days.

The results showed that the syrup combination at a dose of 135 mg/kg body weight produced the best activity, followed by doses of 90 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg. The highest body weight improvement reached 53.6%, while the lowest was 23.5%. These findings confirm that the combination can be used as a stunting intervention.

Read More: The Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PT MMP and Serdang Bedagai Health Service on Research Collaboration in Reducing Stunting

ChannaFit Successfully Helps Children Escape from Stunting with Significant Height and Weight Gain

During the six-month study period, 38% (81 children) were successfully freed from stunting, with an average height increase of 8.9 cm and a weight gain of 2.6 kg. Overall, all three stunting intervention programs produced significant improvements.

However, ChannaFit showed the most significant impact compared to the other programs. Participants who consumed ChannaFit experienced an average height increase of 8.45 cm and a weight gain of 2.80 kg.

The post ChannaFit Successfully Provides the Best Impact in Stunting Management Through a Research Collaboration by BINUS, USU, and PT MMP in Serdang Bedagai appeared first on Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals.

Their participation was marked by a special invitation from the Directorate General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, to attend the National Forum on the Independence and Resilience of the Pharmaceutical Industry. The event took place over two days, from November 8–9, 2021, at Eastparc Hotel, Yogyakarta.

MoU Signing between PT MMP and USU

The forum not only discussed national pharmaceutical resilience but also facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Universitas Sumatera Utara and PT Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals. The collaboration focuses on the development of natural raw materials. The MoU was signed by Sutristo, Director of PT MMP, and Dr. KhairunnisaM Pharm, Ph.D, Apt., Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at USU.

Recognition and Honor

According to Sutristo, this was an honor for both PT MMP and USU, especially as the forum featured General (Ret.) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, as the keynote speaker. The event was officially opened by Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, Sp.PD, Ph.D, KEMD.

“We are truly proud of this invitation, especially since the event was attended by Mr. Luhut Pandjaitan, representatives of the House of Representatives Commission IX, and Dr. Mego Pinandito, M.Eng, Deputy for Research Utilization and Innovation at the National Research Agency, who joined virtually,” said Sutristo.

Commitment to Research and Development

Sutristo emphasized that the MoU represents a research collaboration agreement for both ongoing projects and future phytopharmaceutical products. This, he explained, is part of PT MMP and USU’s commitment to contributing to the independence and resilience of Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry.

“Our commitment is clear, especially after hearing the statement from the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Mr. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who confirmed the government’s strong support for the development of the domestic pharmaceutical industry. He even stated that the government has decided to purchase pharmaceutical products once they are produced locally. We are ready for this—we are prepared to meet domestic pharmaceutical needs and reduce dependency on imported products,” Sutristo added.

Proving Global Competitiveness

Furthermore, Sutristo underlined that PT MMP’s participation demonstrates that Indonesian pharmaceutical products are on par with those from other countries.

“We want to prove that we are not inferior to countries like India, Bangladesh, and even Pakistan, whose pharmaceutical industries are currently growing rapidly,” he concluded.

The post PT MMP and USU Participate in the Independence and Resilience of the Pharmaceutical Industry appeared first on Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals.