Following a collaboration plan that was initiated in the previous meeting on 11 January 2020, PT Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals (MMP) and the Serdang Bedagai Health Service (Sergai Health Office) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday, 13 February 2020 at Garuda Restaurant, Medan. On this occasion, both parties agreed to start a collaborative research project on reducing stunting in Serdang Bedagai District by using Channa Syrup products. The MOU was signed by Drs. Sutristo as the Director of PT MMP and dr. Bulan Simanungkalit, M. Kes, M.M., as the Head of the Serdang Bedagai Health Service.
The intimate event was continued with a discussion on the procedures for the research implementation by both parties. Some detailed technical agreements and implementation were discussed in this meeting including a strategic collaboration between the Government, the private sector and academics. Bioinformatic and Data Science Research Center (BDSRC) from Bina Nusantara University (BINUS) will be joining the project and will assist in the data processing.
The scope of works for each party has also been agreed that consist of, among others: the supply of products by PT MMP; the implementation of research in the field by the Sergai Health Office; and the processing of data by BDSRC BINUS. Commitments from all parties involved will be stated in the detailed Cooperation Agreement which will be finalized in the near future.
Despite of using a relatively small number of samples, the results of this study are expected to be used as a stunting intervention model in a larger scope. The continuation of this research model will require more supports from the Health Office at a higher level as well as involvement of pregnant and nursing mothers as subjects for the nutritional intervention process research. It is very important to understand the stunting data and efforts to overcome it in a strategic and comprehensive manner.
Starting from Serdang Bedagai, the results of this collaborative research are expected to help the Government’s program to succeed in reducing stunting problems at the national level.