Today (October 18), the plantation’s polyclinic of PT Karya Tanah Subur (KTS) was unusually busy from the morning, with a long queue of people. However, this line was not for patients seeking treatment as usual, but for mothers and women attending an invitation from PT KTS.
Cut Ernidar was among them. She left her house early in the morning and rode to PT KTS Polibun on a motorbike with several of her neighbours.
“I live not far from PT KTS, so I often participate in their organised programs and activities. Recently, I attended a seminar on cancer prevention and early detection for women,” Ernidar explained.
She added that today’s event was a continuation of that seminar. PT KTS invited women to receive free Pap smear examinations to detect cervical cancer early.
PT KTS is a subsidiary of the palm oil company PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro), which operates in the West Aceh region. As part of Astra Agro’s commitment to sustainability, the company ensures occupational safety and health for its workers and the surrounding community.
To support this initiative, PT KTS provides health workers and operates a 24-hour health facility, known as a polyclinic, on the plantation. Additionally, the company conducts various health-related education and socialization programs in collaboration with the local health office.
Dr. Lufty, who works at the PT KTS polyclinic, emphasized that cervical cancer is one of the deadliest diseases affecting women, highlighting the importance of early detection activities.
‘We have conducted an initial program focused on education and community engagement. Today, we are offering free pap smear examinations for the community. We hope that all examinees receive positive results. However, if any concerns arise, we will ensure further follow-up,” she said.
Ernidar and her friends initially hesitated to participate in the pap smear examination out of fear. However, thanks to the KTS team’s close relationship with the community and ongoing educational efforts, they realized the importance of this activity.
“PT KTS frequently holds socialization events with community health workers at the posyandu. At first, we were somewhat indifferent to early detection because we didn’t fully understand it. But the more we learned, the more we recognized its positive impact, especially for those living far from city resources,” Ernidar said while awaiting her examination.
The mother, who works as a housewife with three children, expressed her salute to PT KTS, which is so concerned with the health of the surrounding community, not only this cancer early detection activity, PT KTS also always fosters posyandu and cadres for infants and toddlers such as stunting prevention activities and other assistance targeting the health sector.
Assistant Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) PT KTS, Ashar Khoirurozi, stated that initially, it was challenging to encourage mothers to participate in the health examination due to their hesitations and fears. However, the event was successful thanks to the excellent cooperation between the company’s health workers and the local village community.
“Thankfully, it was a good start. Despite the initial difficulties in gathering participants, we were ultimately able to examine dozens of women from the surrounding villages,” he remarked.
Ashar and the entire health team at PT KTS hope that those who were examined will share their positive experiences and encourage other women who have not yet been checked to prioritize their health.
“Through various CSR programs, particularly in the health sector, we have a social responsibility to provide health education and treatment. We will continue these activities as part of a sustainable program,” he added.
The polyclinic, initially filled with hesitant mothers, has now transformed into a lively space filled with cheerful conversations from dozens of examinees who have completed their examinations.
