PASTI-Papua Prevents Stunting for Papua's Golden Generation
16 September 2024
TIMIKA – The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkes RI) together with PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Partnership to Accelerate Stunting Reduction in Indonesia (PASTI)-Papua program, at the SwissBell Hotel, Timika (13/09).
The event was attended by the Director General of Public Health of the Ministry of Health, dr. Maria Endang Sumiwi, Deputy of Bappenas RI, Tri Dewi Virgiyanti, Regional Secretary of Mimika Regency, Petrus Yumte, USAID Mission Director, Jeffrey P. Cohen, Director, Executive Vice President of Sustainable Development of PTFI, Claus Wamafma, National Director of Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), Angelina Theodora, and 200 invitees from the government, PTFI and beneficiaries of the stunting prevention program.
The PASTI-Papua program is an initiative of USAID and PTFI in supporting the Indonesian Ministry of Health's goal of accelerating stunting reduction rates and improving child nutrition in priority districts, namely Mimika Regency, Asmat Regency, and Nabire Regency until 2026. "This program will involve the community, private companies and local governments, where we have seen very promising things to happen and succeed well in the future," said Jeffrey Cohen
Based on the results of the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey (SKI), Central Papua Province recorded a stunting prevalence rate of 39.4% with 46,128 cases, while South Papua recorded a prevalence of 25% with 33,304 cases. Angelina Theodora said that if this problem is not addressed immediately, children with stunting have a risk of brain development which can result in reduced cognitive abilities that affect work productivity in the future. Meanwhile, the acceleration of stunting reduction in Papua faces several challenges, ranging from the lack of public knowledge about the importance of pregnancy checks, child examination and monitoring at Posyandu, to feeding with the empowerment of nutritious local food.
On the same occasion, Jeffrey Cohen said that through partnerships with local communities, local governments, and other stakeholders, we will develop sustainable solutions that will address the root of stunting. "Indonesia has made significant progress over the past 10 years, more than that the Government of Indonesia has an even higher target. The Government of the United States is pleased to work with PT Freeport Indonesia in supporting the Government of Indonesia's efforts to prevent stunting in children in Central Papua and South Papua Provinces through the PASTI-Papua program," said Jeffrey.
Currently, a quick and integrated effort is needed to ensure that every child can grow optimally so that they can fully contribute to other communities. PASTI-Papua is the beginning of an important journey that requires dedication, innovation, and collaboration.
PT Freeport Indonesia is fully committed to improving the quality of life of the people around the company's operating areas, one of which is through health program innovation. "This plan will run for 3 consecutive years together with USAID, WVI, Regional Governments, which of course this is a movement and activity that we have the opportunity to develop and after 3 years we want to see other districts, we are committed to helping the people of Papua without having to look at administrative boundaries," said Claus.
PASTI-Papua will improve the quality of community-based nutritional health practices through three approaches. First, communication interventions for social behavior change involving community leaders. Second, improving the quality of Puskesmas services through strengthening primary health care that is integrated, comprehensive and preventive for mothers, children, and adolescents. Third, increasing institutional capacity and collaborative governance among stakeholders in realizing the National Action Plan for the Acceleration of Stunting Reduction (RAN-PASTI) at the subnational level to strengthen local partners
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