JATENGKU.COM, Surabaya — Freshmen of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga (FK UNAIR) carried out the Bakti Mahasiswa Baru FK UNAIR 2025 program as a large-scale community service initiative aimed at strengthening public health education and supporting national efforts to reduce stunting. The program was organized by the Department of Community Service of the Student Executive Board (BEM KM FK UNAIR) and involved first-year medical students in a series of structured activities implemented across Surabaya.
Stunting remains a major public health concern in Indonesia, as it affects children’s physical growth, cognitive development, and long-term health outcomes. Recognizing the importance of early and sustained intervention, Bakti Mahasiswa Baru FK UNAIR 2025 adopted the theme “Enhancing Public Health Education to Reduce Stunting Rates,” emphasizing preventive strategies beginning from pregnancy through the first two years of life.
The initiative was designed in multiple phases to ensure both preparedness and meaningful community engagement. During the pre-event phase, participating students underwent a series of training and capacity-building sessions to equip them with foundational knowledge on stunting, effective health communication, and community education strategies. In parallel, health promotion campaigns were conducted both online and offline. Offline campaigns took place in public spaces, educational institutions, and community areas throughout Surabaya, while online campaigns utilized social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to extend outreach and raise public awareness.
The main event, held on November 29, 2025, was centered in Tambaksari District and implemented across five villages: Rangkah, Kapasmadya Baru, Ploso, Gading, and Tambaksari. In these locations, students worked directly with community members, particularly mothers of infants and young children, to deliver targeted health education. Educational sessions focused on monitoring child growth using the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook, understanding growth charts, ensuring appropriate complementary feeding (MPASI), and recognizing early signs of nutritional risk such as weight faltering.
To complement the educational component, the program also provided basic health screenings, interactive learning activities, and child-friendly games aimed at improving participant engagement. A stunting-themed drama performance was presented as an innovative educational approach to convey key messages in an accessible and relatable manner. In addition, social assistance packages were distributed to families in need, reinforcing the program’s holistic approach to community well-being.
The primary beneficiaries of the program were mothers with children under five years of age, especially those identified as experiencing stunting or at risk of growth impairment. However, the initiative also targeted the wider community, including adolescents and adults, in recognition of the role of family and social environments in shaping long-term health outcomes. Collaboration with Kader Surabaya Hebat was instrumental in facilitating community mobilization and ensuring continuity of child growth monitoring beyond the duration of the event.
Overall, Bakti Mahasiswa Baru FK UNAIR 2025 highlights the potential of student-led initiatives to contribute meaningfully to public health promotion and disease prevention. By integrating education, community engagement, and collaborative action, the program underscores the role of medical students as future healthcare professionals who are actively involved in addressing real-world health challenges. The initiative is expected to contribute to sustained stunting prevention efforts through continued community monitoring and follow-up programs planned for early 2026.
Author: Fisti Nisa N.a
