Samboja– PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) remains committed to supporting the government's efforts to combat stunting in the company's operational areas. Most recently, the initiative occurred in Sanipah and Teluk Pamedas Villages, Samboja District, Kutai Kartanegara. Since 2018, PHM has actively participated in the Supplementary Feeding Program/Pemberian Makanan Tambahan (PMT) as part of its commitment to the Community Development Program (PPM) in the health sector.

In 2024, for example, PHM collaborated with the Handil Baru Public Health Center (Puskesmas) to provide supplementary food to 93 infants and toddlers identified as experiencing weight faltering and coming from underprivileged backgrounds. The program was closely monitored for 28 consecutive days by health center personnel. Handil Baru Public Health Center data shows that approximately 225 children aged 1-5 years were categorized as experiencing weight faltering in 2024.

Weight faltering is when a child fails to gain weight over two consecutive weigh-ins or does not achieve weight gain appropriate for their age. This condition is a significant indicator of stunting. Therefore, parents are encouraged to regularly bring their children to integrated health posts (posyandu) for routine growth monitoring. Additionally, health center staff actively monitor the children's conditions and provide targeted interventions, including supplementary feeding programs for toddlers affected by weight faltering.

Head of Communication, Relations & CID Zona 8, Frans Alexander A. Hukom, emphasized that this initiative reflects PHM's ongoing commitment to collaborating with local governments and health centers to address stunting in Samboja. "In addition to partnering with Handil Baru Public Health Center, we also involve PHM's Fostered Partner, the Maju Cantik Women Farmers Group (KWT Maju Cantik), in preparing and providing nutritious food for infants and toddlers," Frans stated. PHM operates upstream oil and gas activities in the Senipah, Peciko, and South Mahakam Fields in the Samboja area.

Through these sustained efforts, PHM hopes that the supplementary feeding program will contribute positively to the growth and development of children in Samboja while also helping to reduce the stunting rate in the region. Furthermore, this initiative aims to enhance children's overall health and well-being, laying a strong foundation for the future of the next generation.

Meanwhile, Manager of Communication, Relations & CID at PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), Dony Indrawan, reaffirmed PHI's commitment as the parent company to community development, particularly in the health sector, as part of its contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "Beyond PHM, we are also implementing this stunting alleviation program in PHI's subsidiaries and affiliates across East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and North Kalimantan," Dony explained.

According to Dony, the company firmly believes that healthy children who are free from stunting have greater opportunities to achieve their dreams and lead better lives in the future. "To support the Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision, we are collaborating with all stakeholders to achieve a stunting-free Indonesia," he concluded.

PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) that manages upstream oil and gas operations and business activities by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in the Mahakam Working Area, East Kalimantan. In collaboration with SKK Migas, PHM, along with PHI’s subsidiaries and affiliates, continuously drives innovation and technological advancements to deliver safe, efficient, reliable, compliant, and environmentally friendly energy in support of #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia. For more information about PHI, visit https://phi.pertamina.com.