Photo: Laughter and warmth fill the air at the Social Education session at Phagabo Subvillage, Boven Digoel Regency
SOUTH PAPUA – Healthcare shortage continues to loom over many communities in Indonesia’s most remote places. One practical way of tackling this is preventing diseases through good hygiene and healthy habits, such as washing hands with soap and water.
Studies show that proper handwashing halves the risks of infection and skin conditions, thereby reducing disease transmission and strengthening the immune system at no cost or effort.
Having this information, and other hygienic practices, will help people improve their health outcomes, especially where doctors, hospitals, and medicine are scarce.
“With our health class today, we hope to change small habits and get big health outcomes. In places with limited access [to health services], prevention is the most viable option, and it works wonders. Just by teaching handwashing, we can tamp down infection rates by up to 50%,” said dr. Novi Baso, who works at a clinic run by South Papua-based palm oil company Papua Agro Lestari (PAL).
Baso and her team recently hosted an outreach event at Phagabo Subvillage in Boven Digoel Regency, featuring a health education session, a conservation class, number and alphabet lessons for toddlers, tree seedling handover, and a monthly communication session.
The goal was to bring greater knowledge and health awareness to the subvillage.
Photo: PAL Clinic staff member dr. Novi Baso checking a patient’s heart rate (left) and sharing about clean, healthy habits
“We would like to thank the company for organizing today’s activities, from the free health service, conservation [class], to tree planting. Now we know how we can better protect our health and our local ecosystem,” said Richard Nosai Koula, one of Phagabo’s clan leaders. “[We can also see] the company is working together with the people.”
Warmth filled the air as PAL executive Park Jibae greeted and chatted with the participants. Laughter was heard now and then, relaxing the mood and showing camaraderie that transcended cultural and language barriers.
The event wrapped up with a class on Papuan endemic animals by PAL’s Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) team, along with a seedling handover. Locals were encouraged to plant the seedlings in their yards to support environmental longevity.
“We [also] hope the monthly communication session creates an emotional bond between us and local communities. Together, we can be stronger,” said TSE Group’s General Manager Daniel Sim Ayomi. (PAL is a subsidiary of TSE Group.)
The outreach demonstrates how a company’s existence is not solely measured by economic contributions, but by its ability to improve the quality of life for surrounding communities and natural ecosystems. (PR)
