UNAIR NEWS The Faculty of Public Health (FKM) , through its Center for Health and Nutrition Education, Counseling and Empowerment (CHeNECE) research group, recently carried out research and community service programs on Kangean Island, Madura. The initiative was conducted in collaboration with maternal and child health brands Mom Uung and Moell as strategic industry partners. Mom Uung focuses on promoting exclusive breastfeeding to support maternal and child health, while Moell specializes in children檚 skin care and health.
Distinct challenges of Kangean Island
Kangean Island was selected as the site for the research and outreach program because it is one of the outermost islands in East Java and has limited access to healthcare facilities. Mahmud Aditya Rifqi, a lecturer from the Department of Nutrition and head of the research and community service team, explained that although the island is administratively part of Madura, its location remains remote and geographically isolated.
淎lthough the island is part of Madura, it is still another 100 nautical miles to the east. Traveling there by ferry takes approximately 10 hours, which leaves the community relatively isolated in the middle of the sea, Dr. Rifqi said. According to him, those limitations have contributed to ongoing health issues, particularly malnutrition problems such as stunting and disproportionate weight-to-height growth among children. The situation is further aggravated by strong local reliance on alternative medicine, which can worsen health conditions, as well as declining capacity among local health cadres.
The CHeNECE team, together with Mom Uung and Moell, worked directly with residents through several community-based initiatives. The first focused on strengthening the capacity of local health cadres through education on exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding for infants. The program also included public health screenings and home visits to families with children at risk of malnutrition. As strategic partners, Mom Uung and Moell supported the initiative by providing health screening assistance and professional medical personnel.
The program recorded significant positive results. Health cadres who participated in the intervention demonstrated greater confidence and stronger communication skills within the community. 淭he cadres who received capacity-building support became more confident, more capable of communicating effectively, and better able to ensure that mothers understood the information being delivered, Dr. Rifqi explained.
Program continuity and strategic collaboration
The CHeNECE initiative is not intended as a one-time program. The team is scheduled to return to Kangean Island in June for another round of research and community outreach activities. The next phase will focus on biopore-based environmental programs aimed at addressing ecological issues on Mamburit Island, while continuing nutritional assistance for children affected by stunting. The collaboration model developed between the CHeNECE, Mom Uung, and Moell team is expected to serve as an example for other sectors, highlighting the importance of cooperation between academia and industry to expand public health benefits for communities in remote areas.
Author: Yongki Eka Cahya
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
