As the morning sun rises over Nabire, the sounds of traders setting up stalls in the central market echo through the coastal air—vendors preparing fish caught at dawn, mothers buying vegetables for the day, and children walking to school with their backpacks slightly too big for their small frames. This scene of everyday life in Central Papua carries warmth and familiarity, yet behind it lies a quieter struggle: the persistent and deeply rooted challenge of child stunting. For decades, stunting has remained a barrier to Papua’s human development—visible not only in the height of children, but also in their ability to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
Stunting in Papua is woven into the region’s geography, isolation, socioeconomic conditions, and limited health infrastructure. In remote districts, mothers often travel long distances for prenatal checkups. Access to clean water is uneven, nutritious foods are scarce, and public health workers face logistical obstacles that would challenge even the most experienced teams. These conditions have created an environment in which stunting is not merely a health issue but a generational challenge with profound social and economic implications.
Yet amid this complexity, a new force has emerged—a partnership that brings together local government leadership, community participation, and private-sector capability. On November 6, 2025, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) and the Nabire Regency Government announced a landmark collaboration under the Partnership to Accelerate Stunting Reduction in Indonesia–Papua (PASTI–Papua) program. More than a ceremonial agreement, it represents a strategic step toward breaking the cycle of malnutrition and ensuring a healthier and more promising future for Papua’s children.
Understanding the Stunting Challenge in Nabire
To appreciate the significance of this partnership, one must understand the roots of stunting in Nabire. Stunting occurs when chronic malnutrition prevents children from reaching appropriate height and developmental milestones. But behind this scientific definition lies a series of intertwined hardships. Many families in Nabire live far from health centers; some must cross rivers or take long boat rides to access a midwife or community clinic. Food security remains fragile, with limited access to protein-rich diets. Traditional feeding practices, often shaped by cultural norms, do not always align with recommended nutritional standards. Meanwhile, health workers—though dedicated—face shortages in manpower, equipment, and transportation.
Government surveys have revealed that many children in rural Nabire start life already at risk. Mothers often enter pregnancy anemic or undernourished, babies are born with low birth weight, and young children do not always receive consistent growth monitoring. Environmental factors compound the problem: limited sanitation infrastructure exposes families to repeated infections, further affecting nutritional absorption.
This complex web of challenges calls for solutions that are holistic, sustainable, and deeply rooted in community engagement—precisely the kind of approach that PASTI–Papua seeks to provide.
A Transformative Partnership: Freeport Indonesia and Nabire Regency Unite
On a ceremonial morning in early November, representatives of PT Freeport Indonesia and the Nabire Regency Government officially signed their cooperation agreement, marking the beginning of a multi-year commitment to accelerate stunting reduction across the region. Witnessed by local stakeholders and widely reported by WartaPlus, Jubi, Seputar Papua, Tera Papua, NabireNet, Tomei, Timika Express, and Koreri, the signing symbolized a shared resolve that transcends institutional boundaries.
PTFI brings to the table its extensive operational capacity, long-standing presence in Papua, and deep technical experience in health and community development programs. Over decades of operating one of the world’s largest mining projects, the company has developed health facilities, educational initiatives, and community services that have become models for regional development.
The Nabire Regency Government, meanwhile, offers leadership, policy direction, and the ability to mobilize local networks—from district health offices and Puskesmas to village governments, women’s empowerment groups, and religious communities. Together, they shape a partnership that integrates resources, expertise, and grassroots mobilization into a single coordinated mission.
This collaboration builds upon a broader national framework established by the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes RI), PT Freeport Indonesia, and USAID, which launched the PASTI–Papua program in 2024 as a comprehensive model for reducing stunting across Papua and West Papua.
Inside PASTI–Papua: A Comprehensive Approach to Ending Stunting
PASTI–Papua is not a simple distribution program; it is a deeply structured intervention that strengthens local health systems while empowering families and communities. It rests on several interconnected pillars:
- Improving Maternal and Child Nutrition
The program ensures that pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and infants receive adequate micronutrients, counseling, and regular health monitoring. These interventions target the first 1,000 days of life—a critical window for preventing stunting.
- Building Capacity in the Health System
PASTI–Papua trains health workers, midwives, nutritionists, and village cadres. By equipping them with better tools and knowledge, the program ensures that risks are identified early, interventions are consistent, and community outreach becomes more effective.
- Behavioral Change and Family Education
One of the most transformative aspects of PASTI–Papua is its focus on education. Workshops and village discussions teach families about breastfeeding, complementary feeding, hygiene practices, and balanced nutrition. Behavior change is essential in addressing root causes of stunting.
- Data Strengthening and Monitoring
Accurate, timely data allows Nabire’s health authorities to track progress, identify at-risk groups, and adjust strategies. PASTI–Papua introduces improved growth monitoring tools, digital reporting, and evaluation mechanisms.
- Multisector Community Collaboration
The program actively engages churches, schools, women’s groups, youth organizations, and local leaders. Stunting cannot be solved by the health sector alone; it requires cooperation from all segments of society.
Through this design, PASTI–Papua takes stunting reduction beyond temporary assistance and moves toward structural change.
Why Freeport’s Role Is Vital to Papua’s Health Landscape
While Freeport’s name is often associated with mining, its contribution to community health in Papua is considerable. The company operates modern health facilities—including the Mimika-based RSMM—and has decades of experience in delivering public health programs in challenging environments.
Freeport’s role in PASTI–Papua matters for several reasons:
- Logistical Strength: The company operates in some of the most remote and rugged terrain in Indonesia. This gives it the capacity to move supplies, equipment, and personnel efficiently.
- Technical Expertise: Freeport has long collaborated with health experts to run clinics and medical programs that support thousands of Papuan families.
- Deep Community Relationships: Trust is essential when implementing sensitive health programs. Freeport’s long-standing engagement with local communities creates a strong foundation.
- Commitment to Sustainability: Freeport’s involvement ensures the program is not short-term but built for continuity and long-term impact.
This partnership demonstrates how corporations can play a meaningful role in supporting sustainable development and improving quality of life in Papua.
Local Leadership and Community Ownership in Nabire
While Freeport provides resources and technical support, the heart of the program lies with Nabire’s local leadership. District officials emphasize that reducing stunting must be a collective effort. Village heads, health cadres, religious leaders, and community groups are being mobilized to support early childhood monitoring, promote maternal health, and assist with outreach activities.
Puskesmas facilities are being strengthened as operational centers for growth monitoring and nutrition counseling. Midwives are receiving additional training and equipment, enabling them to reach deeper into rural areas. Village governments are encouraged to allocate budgets for clean-water programs, nutrition gardens, and health campaigns.
This bottom-up approach ensures that PASTI–Papua is not an external intervention imposed on communities but a locally owned movement rooted in cultural understanding and participation.
Community Expectations and Early Responses
The partnership has been warmly welcomed by the public. Parents have expressed hope that their children will receive better care. Health workers feel empowered by the training and tools promised under the program. Religious leaders—who play a central role in Papuan social life—support the initiative and have offered their platforms to spread health education.
Local mothers interviewed by regional media shared stories of their struggles and hopes: long distances to health facilities, limited access to nutritious food, and the desire for their children to grow strong and healthy. For them, PASTI–Papua is not just a program—it is a promise of change.
Toward a Healthier Future: National Impact and Beyond
Nabire’s integration into PASTI–Papua contributes directly to Indonesia’s nationwide goal of reducing stunting below 14 percent. If successful, the Nabire model could become a blueprint for neighboring districts in Papua Tengah and across other provinces.
Improving child health yields long-term benefits. Children who grow without stunting are more likely to succeed in school, participate in the workforce, and contribute to the region’s development. This program is therefore not only about health—it is about shaping the future of Papua.
Conclusion
The alliance between PT Freeport Indonesia and the Nabire Regency Government through the PASTI–Papua program marks a defining moment in the journey to end stunting in Papua. It is a collaboration built on evidence, compassion, shared responsibility, and the belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive.
As Nabire moves forward, the hope is simple yet profound: that children born today will grow up healthier, stronger, and more capable than the generations before them—free from the constraints of preventable malnutrition.
The story of PASTI–Papua is ultimately a story of transformation, of resilience, and of a collective determination to build a brighter future for Papua’s children.
