JAKARTA – A mother’s love is infinite throughout time. This is a story about the struggle of a mother who is full of fortitude, finding hope through the health services of the Dompet Dhuafa Integrated Health Hospital (RST). Yes, Ita Ariani (39), a housewife who is currently struggling for her baby who was diagnosed with stunting.
Every step she takes is filled with determination to provide the best for her son, Muhamad Khairul Fatih (2). Fatih was diagnosed with stunting at the age of two years and six months.
Stunting can cause children to have height and weight below the average of their age, increase the risk of disease, affect posture as adults. It can even lead to death at an early age.
United Nations 2020 statistics show that more than 149 million children under five worldwide, or about 22%, are stunted. Of these, 6.3 million are Indonesian toddlers. UNICEF states that stunting is caused by malnutrition in children during the first two years of life, nutritional deficiencies in mothers during pregnancy, and poor sanitation conditions.
That morning, Wednesday (21/2/2024) was the second time Fatih had routine control at the Nutrition Clinic of RST Dompet Dhuafa Hospital. At his current age, Fatih is experiencing weight problems and stunted development. At first, Fatih was referred from the Health Center to the Regional Hospital, then referred back to a larger hospital, but never got a solution.
“We found out last year, when he was one year and six months old. At that time, it was because his weight dropped drastically and stuck at seven kilograms, not increasing at all. It went up a little, then down again. So I was suspicious. How come she wasn’t gaining weight? He’s getting older, but he’s not gaining weight. So, I took the initiative from the posyandu to ask,” said Ita.
Alhamdulillah, with difficulty comes ease. Ita is one of the beneficiaries of Dompet Dhuafa’s Healthy Area in the Posyandu where she lives, Tanah Kusir, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. Through the program, Ita gets education related to stunting and can pay special attention to her child’s development, with monthly check-ups at the Nutrition Clinic of RST Dompet Dhuafa Hospital.
“Alhamdulillah, I know Dompet Dhuafa from the posyandu. So, all children who go to the posyandu who are growing late or underweight will be supported by Dompet Dhuafa. Surely once a month there is a meeting with Dompet Dhuafa to educate and provide nutritious food for children, for the next month, “he said.
A month ago, Fatih’s weight reached 7.3 kg. However, at the second control today, thanks to the doctor’s consultation, food intake, and nutritious milk assistance, his weight development increased from 7.3 kg to 7.8 kg.
“Alhamdulillah, the development is not bad for me, it’s pretty good from 7.3 to 7.8 Kg, it’s really a struggle for me. Already very happy. Before being brought here (RST) I was already happy, because from Dompet Dhuafa there was already support for my problem, and until here the doctor was friendly, and open to his patients. So I’m happy and very helped,” Ita added.
Ita’s husband, M Yunus, is a janitor at a workshop. Unfortunately, the place where Yunus works was forced to close. With very difficult conditions, it has an impact on the nutritional intake provided by Ita and her husband for their baby.
Ita Ariani is one of the thousands of beneficiaries of the kindness that continues to reverberate in the hallways of the RST Dompet Dhuafa Hospital. Like an abundant gift, Fatih received services to eradicate the stunting that covered him. Thanks to the kindness of donors through zakat funds, which is a blessing that Allah Swt slips to the donors.
“So I really thank Dompet Dhuafa and everyone from the first consultation until now. Alhamdulillah, my child has made progress,” said Ita.
Ita went through some dark times. At only five months old, Fatih was diagnosed with Meningitis and Pneumonia. The high body temperature gave Fatih seizures, causing him to not respond to anything. Ita continued to pray for him, and he continued to seek treatment and medication.
“Mom, you go home ready, everything is prepared. The thing is, his little brother won’t survive,” said a doctor who examined Fatih at that time, closing Ita’s hope.
With full confidence, Alhamdulillah, Fatih passed that phase.
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Tears fell down Ita’s cheeks. Finally, now she can continue to accompany her baby to get out of the shackles of stunting. She can also breathe a sigh of relief. Ita is endlessly grateful for all those who have become an extension of kindness.
“The first feeling is happy. We didn’t know at first, so we know how to make the best for our children. Second, we are happy because behind my child’s shortcomings there is support, very happy! Thank you to Dompet Dhuafa, from the beginning I knew Dompet Dhuafa was very supportive. So I was really helped. Maybe if I didn’t know Dompet Dhuafa, my child wouldn’t be where he is now. Alhamdulillah, the consultation has been free, from the beginning we came here to the milk support, Alhamdulillah from RST Dompet Dhuafa,” she said.
“As much as possible I do the best for my child, we have to be more nagging when we are pregnant, so it is better for us to ask the doctor more than the doctor who asks us a lot. I hope he can return to being like other children his age. The education I received, God willing, I will do to my child. Thank you very much Dompet Dhuafa,” concluded Ita gratefully. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text & Photo: Anndini Dwi Putri
Editor: Dhika Prabowo