Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta (FK UPNVJ) organized a training session on how to make moringa porridge to support infant growth and strengthen nutritional intake.
This training was conducted as part of a Community Service program through the UPNVJ Community Territory (UCT) scheme, and took place in Pangkalan Jati Village, Cinere District, Depok City, West Java, on Tuesday (August 5, 2025).
This activity, involving faculty members and students, represents FK UPNVJ’s tangible contribution to improving public health. The event was titled Training on Making Chicken and Moringa Leaf Porridge as Complementary Feeding (MP-ASI) for Infants for PKK Cadre Mothers in Pangkalan Jati Village, Cinere, Depok. Around 20 enthusiastic participants, including PKK cadre mothers and teenagers from the village, took part in the event.
One of the participating lecturers, Dr. Tiwuk Susantiningsih, M.Biomed, explained that Complementary Feeding (MP-ASI) plays a crucial role in supporting infant growth and development after the age of six months.
“Chicken porridge, a common MP-ASI option, can be enriched nutritionally by adding moringa leaves, which are widely known as a superfood plant,” said Dr. Tiwuk.
Moringa, scientifically known as Moringa oleifera, is easy to grow and drought-resistant. This small-leaved plant offers significant benefits for both the environment and public health. Due to its high nutritional content, moringa is often referred to as the “miracle tree” or “tropical superfood.”
Moringa leaves contain various essential nutrients such as protein, iron, calcium, vitamins A and C, as well as bioactive compounds like flavonoids and polyphenols.
“The combination of animal protein from chicken and micronutrients from moringa leaves makes this porridge a more complete and balanced MP-ASI choice,” said Dr. Tiwuk. “Besides supporting bone growth and the immune system, moringa leaves also help prevent anemia, which often occurs during the weaning period,” she added.
Through this training, PKK cadres and local youth were given insights into the nutritional benefits of chicken and moringa leaf porridge, along with hands-on practice on how to prepare it. The session included a pretest, material presentation, porridge-making practice, a Q&A discussion, role-play, and a posttest to evaluate the outcomes of the training.
“It is hoped that through this activity, the community will be able to adopt this healthy and nutritious recipe as an alternative MP-ASI at home, thereby improving child health and preventing nutritional problems such as stunting and anemia early on,” Dr. Tiwuk concluded in front of the participants.
Also present at the training were members of the FK UPNVJ Community Service Team, including Dr. Sri Wahyuningsih, M.Kes., Sp.KKLP, Dr. Pritha Maya Savitri, Sp.KP, Dr. Agneta Irmarahayu, M.Pd.Ked., Sp.KKLP, Dwi Arwandi Yogi Saputra, S.KM, M.KM, and Dr. Yuni Setyaningsih, M.Biomed. In addition to lecturers, five FK UPNVJ students were also involved: Amy, Audy Ramadhan, Salsabila Faiza Dzafira Raharjo, and Djuwita. (*)
*Visit for UPNVJ Website Here: www.upnvj.ac.id
