Photo: PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL)’s social education activity in Phagabo Village, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua, was held in an atmosphere of laughter and warmth
SOUTH PAPUA – In many remote areas, the scarcity of health facilities is often a problem. Therefore, for communities living in these remote regions, prevention becomes the main strategy for maintaining health. One of the most effective forms of prevention is the practice of clean and healthy living behaviors (PHBS), especially handwashing with soap and clean water.
Various studies show that proper handwashing alone can reduce the risk of various diseases, from infections to skin diseases, by up to half. Implementing clean and healthy living behaviors is not only cheap and easy, but it also strengthens the community’s resilience and suppresses disease transmission.
In other words, in places where doctors, medicine, and hospitals are hard to reach, simple education about hygiene can be a major investment in the community’s future health.
“Through this health counseling, we hope to change small habits for a big health impact. In areas with limited access, prevention is the most potent medicine. Just teaching proper handwashing can reduce infection rates by up to 50%,” said dr. Novi Baso, a clinic doctor at PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL), an oil palm company operating in South Papua.
Through its Corporate Social Contribution (CSC) program, PT PAL held various interactive activities with the residents of Phagabo Village, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua, aimed at increasing health awareness and broadening community knowledge.
The activities, which included an awareness session on clean and healthy living behaviors (PHBS), counseling on environmental conservation, introducing letters and numbers to children, and distributing fruit tree seedlings to the community, were all part of a social communication and education event held on Tuesday (4/11/2025).
Photo: dr. Novi Baso from the PT PAL Clinic conducting examinations and providing counseling on clean and healthy living behaviors (PHBS)
“We are very happy and grateful to the company for carrying out these activities, from health services, environmental conservation, to planting fruit trees. With this event, we now know more about how to protect our health and the environment. This activity shows that the company works together with the community,” said Richard Nosai Koula, Clan Leader of Phagabo Village.
The atmosphere felt warm as Mr. Park Jibae, the company leader, warmly greeted and interacted with the community. The interaction, interspersed with laughter, managed to break the ice and showed a spirit of togetherness without cultural or language barriers.
The event concluded with an awareness session on Papuan endemic animals by PT PAL’s Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) team, as well as the distribution of fruit tree seedlings for residents to plant in their yards as a form of support for environmental sustainability.
“We hope this monthly communication activity can create a good emotional connection, so the company and the community become one solid and strong unit,” said TSE Group General Manager, Daniel Sim Ayomi, on the occasion.
Through this activity, TSE Group demonstrates that a company’s presence is not only measured by its economic contribution but also by its ability to positively impact the community’s quality of life and environmental sustainability. (PR)
