EAST BELITUNG -- Efforts to prevent and reduce stunting in East Belitung Regency continue to be strengthened through collaboration among various stakeholders. One such effort involves PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk, which serves as a partner in the Gerakan Orang Tua Asuh Cegah Stunting (Genting), or Foster Parent Movement to Prevent Stunting, initiated by the East Belitung Regency Office of Community and Village Empowerment, Population Control, and Family Planning (DPMDPPKB).
As part of its support for stunting prevention in East Belitung, PT TIMAH provided sanitation facilities by constructing healthy latrines for two beneficiary families at risk of stunting in Burung Mandi Village, East Belitung Regency.
Head of the East Belitung Regency DPMDPPKB, Melta Indah Nurhayati, said PT TIMAH is one of the partners actively supporting the implementation of the Genting program in the region.
“Like other Genting partners, PT TIMAH actively supports the Genting program through both nutritional and non-nutritional assistance,” Melta said on Wednesday (September 23, 2026).
According to her, the involvement of various stakeholders plays an important role in strengthening synergy and collaboration to support efforts to prevent and reduce stunting in East Belitung.
Meanwhile, Budiman, Head of Population Control, Advocacy, Mobilization, and Information at the East Belitung Regency DPMDPPKB, explained that the healthy latrine construction assistance was provided to two beneficiaries in Burung Mandi Village.
Both beneficiaries are families categorized as being at risk of stunting and did not previously have adequate bathing, washing, and toilet (MCK) facilities.
“The healthy latrines were built for two beneficiaries in Burung Mandi Village. One is a family with a toddler that is categorized as being at risk of stunting and did not have adequate MCK facilities,” Budiman explained.
He said the Genting program targets families at risk of stunting, particularly those with pregnant women, children under two years old, and breastfeeding mothers. Interventions may include decent housing assistance, sanitation facilities such as healthy latrines, nutritional assistance, and support for community economic empowerment.
Budiman noted that addressing stunting requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders. Therefore, the regional government encourages collaboration through a pentahelix approach involving companies, universities, communities, and other stakeholders.
According to him, corporate support through social responsibility programs can help expand the reach of interventions amid the limitations of government programs.
“If we rely solely on government programs, there will certainly be limitations. That is why the spirit of mutual cooperation through collaboration like this is a positive step in efforts to prevent stunting in East Belitung,” he said.
He expressed hope that this collaboration will continue to be strengthened so that more families in need can receive support, particularly families with pregnant women and children under two years old.
With access to improved sanitation, beneficiary families are expected to have healthier living environments. This intervention is also expected to complement nutritional assistance and other supporting programs in efforts to create healthier and more prosperous families. (*)
