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The Ministry Of Health Awards Community-Based Total Sanitation

The Ministry of Health awarded the Community-Based Total Sanitation (STBM) recognition to 42 districts and cities. This award acknowledges their success in eliminating open defecation practices and promoting healthy living habits.

The STBM 2024 awards are divided into three categories: Paripurna, Madya, and Pratama. Sleman district was named the best recipient of the Paripurna category, followed by Badung (Bali), Metro City (Lampung), and Tangerang City (Banten). In the Madya category, Surabaya City (East Java) took the top spot, with Mojokerto City (East Java) in second place and Sragen district (Central Java) in third.

For the Pratama category, Sidoarjo district (East Java) was awarded first place, with Aceh Tamiang (Aceh) in second and Palu City (Central Sulawesi) in third.

Deputy Minister of Health, Dante Saksono Harbuwono, emphasized that the success of STBM can only be achieved through active community participation in changing sanitation behaviors. He noted that poor sanitation has been the root cause of various disease outbreaks throughout history, including the black death pandemic that killed millions.

"This award proves that the people of Indonesia can be part of the solution by improving sanitation habits," Dante said on Tuesday (10/12).

Dante mentioned that community-based programs like STBM demonstrate the effectiveness of promotional and preventive approaches in reducing disease rates caused by poor sanitation. He also praised the cross-sector collaboration supporting this program. "Health is not just the government's responsibility. The collective awareness of the community about the importance of sanitation is the foundation for creating a healthier Indonesia," Dante stated.

He hopes this event will serve as a momentum to further enhance cross-sector collaboration in creating a better environmental health. Community involvement in maintaining good sanitation is crucial to prevent disease outbreaks. "Collaboration is key to tackling sanitation and environmental health challenges," said Dante.

Anas Ma'ruf, the Director of Environmental Health at the Ministry of Health, added that the STBM award and two other awards, POSS and Healthy Ports and Airports, are given through a strict selection process. This includes document verification, field surveys, and final decisions by a cross-ministerial team, agencies, and development partners. "This is a strategic step in addressing global challenges and creating a healthier Indonesia," Anas stated.

The Ministry of Health awarded the food safety program to ten cities and regencies, including Rembang (Central Java), Sleman (DIY), and Kutai Kartanegara (East Kalimantan).

Meanwhile, West Papua received the best mentor award for the Ready-to-Eat Food Safety Program (POSS) along with Central Java, which also achieved a 100% award for stopping open defecation.

The awards for healthy airports and ports, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, aim to create sustainable healthy ports and airports by ensuring a clean, safe, comfortable, and friendly environment for transportation users. This also supports economic and social sustainability to reduce negative environmental impacts and prevent potential health risks, enhancing health and workplace safety.

Tag: Dante Saksono Harbuwono Ministry Of Health STBM 2024 Awards