A Step Forward for PT Vale: Building a Resilient Generation in East Luwu
In the paediatric examination room at Inco Sorowako Hospital, the atmosphere was busy as mothers waited with their toddlers. Among them was Rezky, 28, who was tending to his 15-month-old son, Lutfi. Rezky shared that Lutfi had been categorised as stunted due to inconsistent weight and height measurements.
Rezky is one of dozens of parents whose children were selected for an integrated stunting intervention programme initiated by PT Vale Indonesia in the Sorowlag Kecamatan, East Luwu Regency. Since March 2026, the nickel mining company has collaborated with medical personnel, community health centres (Puskesmas), integrated health posts (Posyandu), and village midwives to directly manage 42 children recommended by local health facilities.
Following in-depth examinations at Inco Sorowako Hospital, medical teams confirmed that 37 children were suffering from stunting and required specialised care. Dr Imelda Hadi, a paediatric specialist at the hospital, explained that this three-month programme extends beyond initial check-ups. Each child undergoes strict procedures, including regular monitoring of weight and height every ten days, laboratory tests, and tuberculosis (TB) screenings.
Furthermore, the medical team collaborates with hospital nutritionists to provide breastfeeding education. Nutritional interventions include high-calorie milk, iron supplementation for anaemic children, and the provision of Vitamin D and probiotics to support growth. Dr Imelda also praised the active role of village midwives who conduct home visits to monitor the children’s progress.
Rezky noted visible improvements in Lutfi after two months of the programme. “Since the programme provided milk, there has been a change, and he has moved past the stunting threshold,” he said.
The synergy between PT Vale, healthcare workers, and the local government continues to strengthen. The Regent of East Luwu, Irwan Bachri Syam, who fully supports the initiative, has called upon all stakeholders, particularly in remote areas, to play an active role. The Regent also encouraged the private sector, such as Vale, to continue contributing through foster parent programmes to gradually reduce stunting rates.
The regional government has also prepared the ‘Thousand Lives Programme’ through this year’s revised budget, targeting pregnant women with nutritional support from pregnancy through to one year postpartum.
PT Vale Indonesia remains committed not only to the health sector but also to human resource development through education, vocational training, and community empowerment. According to Vanda Kusumaningrum, Head of Corporate Communications at PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, preventing and addressing stunting is not merely a social programme, but a long-term investment that determines the quality of future generations and regional competitiveness.