Paseh Kaler, May 2026 – Efforts to prevent stunting don’t just begin during pregnancy or early childhood, but also during adolescence. Through the Care For Teens program—part of the Kampung Seraya Cita Sehat initiative—Cita Sehat held a health education session and anemia screening for adolescents in Paseh Kaler Village on May 24, 2026.
This initiative is an important step toward the early detection of health issues that could potentially affect adolescents’ quality of life and the health of future generations. In addition to health education, participants also underwent hemoglobin (Hb) level tests to screen for anemia, a condition that often goes unnoticed.
Cases of Moderate Anemia in Teenagers
The screening results show that a significant number of teenagers suffer from mild to moderate anemia. This finding is a cause for concern because, for more than a year now, Hb tests for teenagers have not been conducted routinely due to budget constraints in the health care system. This situation has led to a number of high-risk cases going undetected at an early stage.
One of the most surprising findings from this initiative was the detection of thalassemia in a teenager who had not previously been diagnosed. This finding underscores the importance of regular health checkups as a preventive measure to avoid more serious health complications in the future.
Anemia in teenagers should not be taken lightly. This condition can cause fatigue, impair concentration during study, and even affect future reproductive health. For teenage girls, untreated anemia can also increase the risk of giving birth to babies with low birth weight and contribute to the intergenerational cycle of stunting.
Teen Education Through Care For Teens
The Care For Teens program educates teenagers on the importance of a balanced, nutritious diet, anemia prevention, healthy lifestyles, and the importance of regular health checkups. This promotive and preventive approach is expected to foster healthy behaviors from a young age.
The residents of Paseh Kaler Village welcomed the event. They expressed their gratitude for the health education program, which provided new insights for the teenagers. The residents hope that similar activities will continue to be held so that the teenagers’ health can continue to improve and cases of severe anemia can be prevented early on.
Care For Teens program is part of the Cita Sehat’s commitment, along with Kampung Seraya Cita Sehat, to create a healthier and more empowered community. With a focus on promotive and preventive approaches, this program is a concrete effort to prepare a healthy, productive younger generation—one that is ready to become parents capable of raising a stunting-free generation in the future.
With the support of donors and philanthropic partners, various public health programs continue to be implemented to reach those in need. Cita Sehat believes that investing in teenage health today is a vital investment in creating a healthier Indonesia in the future.
