Stiksam Empowers PKK to Produce Non-Medicinal Pharmaceutical Products

A total of 30 members of the Family Welfare Empowerment group (PKK) from Gas Alam Muara Badak 1 Village, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, participated in a Community Service (PkM) activity under the Beginner Community Empowerment Scheme (PMP) organised by the Samarinda College of Health Sciences (Stiksam). The activity aimed to improve community skills in producing natural-ingredient-based products with potential for development as independent businesses. It was held at the PKK Secretariat Building of Gas Alam Muara Badak 1 Village, Kutai Kartanegara Regency.

The Head of the Community Service Team, apt. Reksi Sundu, stated that the activity represents a contribution from higher education institutions in supporting community empowerment through improving health-related skills and developing home-product-based entrepreneurship. “Through this activity, we hope participants not only gain skills in making products but are also able to develop the training results into business opportunities that provide added economic value,” said Reksi.

The Chairwoman of the PKK of Gas Alam Muara Badak 1 Village, Hadirah, expressed high appreciation for the Stiksam team’s initiative. She hoped that similar empowerment programmes could continue to be implemented sustainably to increase the capacity of village communities.

The series of activities began with an initial knowledge evaluation through a pre-test, followed by the delivery of material on making three types of non-medicinal pharmaceutical products: soap, aromatherapy oil, and herbal-based massage oil. After the material session, participants took part in direct practice with assistance from the implementing team.

In the soap-making practice session, participants were introduced to the formulation stages using natural ingredients such as olive oil, coconut oil, and palm oil. Participants learned the mixing process, moulding, and the curing stage of soap before it is ready for use.

After the practice was completed, participants took a post-test to measure the improvement in understanding. The evaluation results showed a significant increase in participants’ knowledge compared to before the training. As a form of support for programme sustainability, the Stiksam team handed over production equipment assistance in the form of soap cutters, moulds, hand mixers, and other supporting equipment to the local PKK group.