North Aceh Coastal Community Environmental and Health Care Program
Partner : PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PT PGN Tbk)
Industry : Energy & Oil & Gas
Objective : This integrated program aims to create harmony between community health and environmental sustainability. Through free health services, including basic check-ups, metabolic screenings, and counseling, we empower residents with early detection and healthy living knowledge. In parallel, the planting of 400 Casuarina equisetifolia (Beach She-oak) trees is conducted to rehabilitate the coastal ecosystem and protect the shoreline from abrasion. By directly involving the community, this program fosters a sense of ownership so that environmental conservation and health improvement efforts can be sustainable, creating a positive cycle where a healthy community will actively protect its environment, and a preserved environment will support resident well-being.
Challenges :
- Coastal Abrasion Pressure: The coastline is continuously eroded by sea waves, threatening infrastructure, settlements, and coastal ecosystems.
- Land Use Change: Changes in land use in coastal areas reduce the available area for planting protective vegetation like Casuarina equisetifolia.
- Decreased Vegetation Cover: The loss or thinning of coastal protective plants weakens the resilience of coastal areas against natural threats and climate change.
- Availability and Access to Health Facilities: Distance and inadequate infrastructure make it difficult for the community to access health services.
Solutions :
1. Curative Health Services for 111 Beneficiaries
This activity is a direct intervention to address health problems currently experienced by the Beneficiaries. A total of 111 people received medical treatment and care services, such as doctor consultations, medication provision, and simple medical procedures. The goal is to cure diseases, reduce symptoms, and prevent further complications. With these curative services, the community’s health burdens can be directly addressed, increasing their productivity and quality of life in the short term.
2. Metabolic Check Services for 83 Beneficiaries
As a preventive and early detection step, we provided Metabolic Check Services to 83 Beneficiaries. This examination aims to identify the risk of non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol), which often show no initial symptoms. This ultimately prevents diseases from progressing to more serious stages requiring high treatment costs.
3. Health Counseling/Community Health Education for 106 Beneficiaries
We believe that knowledge is the foundation of a healthy society. Through health counseling activities, 106 Beneficiaries were equipped with an understanding of the importance of Clean and Healthy Living Behaviors (PHBS).
4. Distribution of 50 Supplementary Food Packages for Children and Toddlers
Ensuring the next generation grows optimally is a top priority. We distributed 50 Supplementary Food Packages (PMT) specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of children and toddlers. These packages contain high-nutrition food that can help address and prevent issues of malnutrition, stunting, and anemia. This intervention is crucial during the children’s golden age, as good nutritional intake directly impacts their future physical, cognitive development, and immune system.
5. Planting of 400 Casuarina equisetifolia Trees
Our commitment is not only to human health but also to environmental health. The activity of planting 400 Casuarina equisetifolia trees is a long-term investment for a sustainable ecosystem. Casuarina equisetifolia was chosen for its resilient ability to withstand coastal abrasion, stabilize soil, and act as a protective green belt for settlements. More broadly,
Impact :
- This program has reached the most needed elements of the community. The Elderly group became the largest beneficiaries, with a proportion reaching 40% or equivalent to 62 people.
- In terms of gender, the program also successfully reached more women, comprising 72% of the total beneficiaries, while men comprised 28%. This composition indicates that the program may have successfully accommodated the health needs of women, who are often the primary person responsible for family health yet neglect their own.
- The community felt the impact through improved access to quality health services, the alleviation of treatment cost burdens for families, and increased awareness of the importance of health.
SDGs Relevance :
- SDG 13: Climate Action
Planting Casuarina equisetifolia trees along the coast is a concrete climate action. These trees act as effective carbon sinks, absorbing greenhouse gases (particularly CO2) from the atmosphere. - SDG 14: Life Below Water
The coastal mangrove ecosystem, reinforced by Casuarina equisetifolia trees, is a protective fortress for marine ecosystems. - SDG 15: Life on Land
This program does not only focus on the ocean but also on terrestrial ecosystems. - SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Good environmental health goes hand in hand with human health.
Collaboration Creates Sustainable Impact.
Want a similar program that integrates community health and environmental conservation in your area? Let’s collaborate to empower communities and protect the earth.