Salok Baru, Balikpapan, 5 July 2023 – Apical, one of the leading vegetable oil processors through PT Kutai Refinery Nusantara (PT KRN) in continuing efforts to improve the health and quality of life of children in Solok Baru, continues the stunting intervention program by providing supplementary food (PMT) to nine (9) two-year-old toddlers who are suspected of being stunted and are prone to stunting in Solok Baru, Balikpapan, today.
The supplementary food program is a follow-up actions to the signing of a joint agreement (MOU) with the Health Office and the Office of Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection and Family Planning (DP3AKB) in the City of Balikpapan in March 2023, in the context of preventing and reducing the stunting rate in two-year-old toddlers in Balikpapan, especially in Kelurahan Kariangau, which is the closest area to the Apical’s operational area.
Stunting, or stunted growth in children, is a serious problem that occurs due to malnutrition, especially in the early period of life. The impact is not only seen in stunted height, but also has an impact on children’s brain and cognitive development. Therefore, it is important to take concrete steps to prevent stunting so that children can grow optimally.
This will be given for six (6) months and the evaluation of the program’s achievements will be carried out every month. The program is carried out directly by providing additional egg-based food every morning and evening. During the implementation of the activity, Apical is accompanied by the local Health Center staffs to educate the public, especially mothers of toddlers who indicated stunting regarding stunting prevention, especially the importance of giving the supplementary food.
This innovative stunting prevention program is specifically designed to provide supplementary food to children aged two and under in Solok Baru. We believe that by introducing nutrient-rich complementary foods at an early stage of life, we can help improve children’s overall growth and development.
Nutrition Implementing Staff at the Karingau Village Health Center, Tazkya Az-Zahra said, “As it is known, that eggs are a good source of protein and can prevent stunting because it contain protein, calories, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins in them. Therefore, together with Apical, we are providing additional egg food to 3 suspected stunting toddlers and 6 toddlers prone to stunting so that they can get adequate nutrition and prevent stunting,” added Tazkya.
M. Jaya Budiarsa, Head of Social, Security, and License (SSL) Apical Balikpapan, stated that this activity is a form of Apical’s commitment to reducing the stunting rate in Balikpapan. “The program starts from the Salok Baru area and in the future, we will do the same thing to several Posyandu in Karingau Village. Through this ongoing activity, we hope that there will be no more two-year-old toddlers with indications of stunting in 2024,” added M. Jaya Budiarsa.
In addition, according to Ade Jasman, Apical Balikpapan’s SSL Officer, in line with this supplementary food program, Apical will also hold an egg dish creation competition with prizes of attractive packages from Apical. “Residents of RT 08, 09 and 015 in Solok Baru, Karingau can participate in this competition and collect their creations of egg dishes in the form of photographs. This competition takes place from July to September 2023 and assessments will be carried out every week,” added Ade.
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About Apical
Apical is a leading vegetable oil processor with an expanding global footprint. Our vertically integrated mid-stream refining and value-added downstream processing makes us an integral supplier that supports the needs of various industries namely food, feed, oleochemicals and renewable fuel, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) which enables a great reduction of CO2 emissions.
With integrated assets in strategic locations spanning Indonesia, China and Spain, Apical operates numerous refineries, oleochemical plants, renewable fuel plants and kernel crushing plants. Through joint ventures and strategic partnerships, Apical also has processing and distribution operations in Brazil, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Middle East, Africa, USA and Vietnam.
Apical’s growth is built on the foundations of sustainability and transparency, and motivated by our strong belief that we can contribute to a circular economy for a more meaningful impact, even as we continue to grow our business and deliver innovative solutions to our customers.
For more information, please visit www.apicalgroup.com.
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