"It is intended for health checks to prevent stunting. For the prospective bride, it only includes measurements of weight, height, upper arm circumference, and hemoglobin levels," BKKBN Head Hasto Wardoyo said in a response to a question here on Friday.
He explained that the Elsimil application is developed by BKKBN for early detection regarding the health of prospective brides and grooms and to mitigate the risk of giving birth to stunted children.
Early detection is conducted three months before marriage through a health check at community health centers (puskesmas) supporting puskesmas (pustu), private clinics, or private practice doctors or midwives.
The results of health checks need to be input into Elsimil to prevent stunting in the children to be borne by the couple in future, he explained. This is in accordance with the government's goal of reducing stunting prevalence that is currently at 21.6 percent based on the 2022 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI).
After registering on the application and conducting health checks, a certificate will be issued. If the color of the certificate is red, then the couple is encouraged to improve the woman's health condition, as she falls in the risky category.
If the woman is forced to get pregnant despite the health condition, then it is feared that it will put her and her child's health at risk.
"Thus, marriage is still allowed. However, the Family Assistance Team (TPK) will recommend delaying pregnancy," the BKKBN head said.
The TPK will then provide the recommended interventions and monitor the nutritional status of the wife until her condition improves and is ideal for conceiving, he said.
Apart from its functions for health screening purposes and communication with the TPK, Elsimil is a medium for education on reproductive health, contraception, pre-marriage readiness, pregnancy readiness, and cancer prevention.
Wardoyo said that the policy regarding implementation of marriage is entirely under the authority of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
"Likewise, with prospective brides and grooms that have not undergone a simple health check or have not filled out Elsimil, the policy falls entirely under the authority of the ranks of the local (office of) the Ministry of Religious Affairs," he said.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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