The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) has officially established a partnership with the Government of Penajam Paser Utara (PPU) Regency to strengthen efforts in improving public health, particularly in addressing stunting and enhancing the capacity of health services. The meeting and signing of the cooperation agreements took place on Monday, May 26, 2025, attended by the leadership of FPH UI and representatives from the PPU Regency Government.
From FPH UI, attendees included Dean Prof. Dr. Mondastri K. Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc., along with the Vice Deans, managers, heads and secretaries of academic programs, professors, and the Chair of the Stunting Resource Center (SRC). On the PPU side, the meeting was attended by Regent H. Mudyat Noor, S.Hut., Head of Health Office Dr. Jansje Grace Makisurat, S.H., Director of Ratu Aji Putri Botung Regional Hospital Dr. Lukasiwan Eddy Saputro, and other key officials. In her remarks, the Dean of FPH UI emphasized UI’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to education, research, and community service in response to various health challenges across the region.
This collaboration is formalized through two key agreements:
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A Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between FPH UI and the PPU Regency Government covering the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education and the application of science and technology.
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A specific PKS with the PPU Health Office, focusing on stunting prevention, capacity building for health workers, health promotion, joint research, development of health information systems, and the Sister Hospital concept.
During the dialogue session, Regent Mudyat Noor highlighted the need for strategic input from FPH UI to improve basic services such as health and education—especially in light of the high stunting rate (21%) found largely in coastal areas with poor sanitation and a high prevalence of early marriage. Dr. Grace, Head of the PPU Health Office, added that they urgently need research to identify root causes as well as community education and empowerment initiatives. Responding to these needs, Prof. Dr. Endang L. Achadi, M.P.H., Dr.PH., Chair of FPH UI’s Stunting Resource Center, expressed the faculty’s readiness to support through training, seminars, and technical assistance at multiple levels, acknowledging the complexity of stunting which involves nutrition, sanitation, behavior, and cultural factors. She also noted that the SRC has conducted training in three main areas: stunting, anemia in pregnant women, and infant and young child feeding.
“Stunting is indeed a complex issue that goes beyond health alone. Many contributing factors are behavioral—for example, early marriage increases the risk of low birth weight, non-exclusive breastfeeding, and inadequate complementary feeding in both quantity and nutrition. All of these must be addressed. We conduct training for health workers so they can educate community cadres and the public,” said Prof. Endang
This collaboration marks a synergistic first step in building a stronger and more responsive regional health system. It is expected that this joint effort will generate meaningful improvements for the people of Penajam Paser Utara and serve as a model for university–local government partnerships in tackling public health issues comprehensively and sustainably. (wrk)