In 2024, as part of our new Health and Education Program for Coastal Communities in Selayar District, South Sulawesi, we conducted extensive consultations and discussions with key stakeholders, including representatives from the Dinas Kesehatan (Health Office), Dinas Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan Anak (Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Office), Puskesmas (community health centers), village leaders, and women’s groups. These dialogues were instrumental in deepening our understanding of the health challenges faced at the village level, particularly in Mekar Indah and Kahu-Kahu—two villages where we have been implementing sustainable fisheries management initiatives since 2020.
Identifying and Addressing Stunting Challenges
Both Mekar Indah and Kahu-Kahu have been grappling with high rates of stunting among children. Through our consultations, we successfully mapped the network of stakeholders involved in tackling stunting, recognizing that this issue requires a comprehensive, multi-sectoral response. Stunting is a complex problem that begins even before birth, underscoring the importance of maternal health and nutrition during pregnancy, as well as ongoing physical and mental well-being.
We acknowledge that addressing stunting cannot be achieved by working in silos. It demands collaborative efforts across the health, nutrition, community engagement, and education sectors. Our stakeholder consultations also enabled us to identify gaps in existing plans, strategies, and resources, ensuring that our upcoming programs in 2025 will strategically fill these gaps without overlapping with the efforts of other institutions and organizations.
Formalizing Partnerships and Launching Initiatives
To solidify our collaborative framework, we concluded 2024 with a mini-workshop and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Puskesmas in the two subdistricts. This formal agreement paves the way for collaborative implementation of health interventions.
Starting in 2025, we launched the LINI Goes To School program, targeting elementary, junior high, and high school students in Kahu-Kahu and Mekar Indah. The program aims to raise awareness about the environment, general nutrition and the benefits of marine-sourced nutrients. For high school students, we support with providing extra vitamins to support their nutritional needs.
Empowering Women for Sustainable Impact
In addition to school-based initiatives, we are focusing on empowering women through group discussions organized under the Posyandu (integrated health service posts). These sessions cover a variety of topics, including stunting prevention, the nutritional value of locally sourced fish, and cooking techniques that preserve the nutritional content of fish.
Our integrated, community-centered approach reflects our commitment to improving health outcomes in Selayar’s coastal villages. By fostering collaboration, addressing nutritional challenges from multiple angles, and empowering local stakeholders, we are confident that we can make meaningful progress toward reducing stunting and enhancing the well-being of these communities.
By Eveline Kurniati and Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley
