Batang Toru, 1 November 2024 – PT Agincourt Resources, the operator of Martabe Gold Mine, successfully treated 3,258 residents in a corporate social responsibility initiative of free medical treatment through Specialist Doctors Enter Village Program across six districts in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra thoughout 2024. Patients including pregnant women, infants, toddlers, the elderly, and residents of productive age, have benefited from the services of specialist pediatricians, obstetricians, and internal medicine doctors.
General Manager & Deputy Director Operations of PT Agincourt Resources, Rahmat Lubis, said that the implementation of Specialist Doctor Enter Village program is one of the Company’s initiatives to improve the quality of community health which is in line with the third Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). This initiative collaborates with South Tapanuli Health Office, South Tapanuli Regional General Hospital (RSUD), and Batang Toru Public Health Center (Puskesmas) and Muara Batang Toru Public Health Center (Puskesmas).
“We are committed to implementing responsible mining operations focusing on making a positive impact on community health around the operational area. Through Specialist Doctors Enter Village Program, hopefully, we can contribute to the sustainable improvement of community health,” said Rahmat.
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Along the way, the need for the services of specialist doctors has also arisen in other areas outside the two districts surrounding Martabe Gold Mine area, namely Batang Toru and Muara Batang Toru. Therefore, PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) expands the service areas to villages far from health facilities such as hospitals or public health centers.
Throughout 2024, Specialist Doctors Enter Village Program has reached out to Muara Ampolu Village in Muara Batang Toru, Batuhoring Village in Batang Toru, Sihuik Huik Village in South Angkola, Pargarutan Harangan Village in Sipirok, Tabusira Village in East Angkola, and Siunjam Village in Sayur Matinggi.
”To enhance community health services, we plan to collaborate with one of the health service facilities next year in terms of optimal utilization of medical insurance,” said Rahmat.
Senior Manager Community of PT Agincourt Resources, Christine Pepah, added that in each village visited, the Company presents the services of specialist pediatricians, obstetricians, and internal medicine doctors. Supporting facilities are also provided, namely electrocardiogram (ECG) and ultrasonography (USG).
Especially in Batang Toru Public Health Center – a health center close to Martabe Gold Mine location – PTAR presents three specialist doctors twice a week.
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“As it is very beneficial for community, we will continue to provide Specialist Doctors Enter Village services. Apart from providing quality medical services, we seek to increase the knowledge and awareness of the community. These services are provided for free including the medicines prescribed by the specialist doctors since we prioritize lower middle economic patients,” said Christine.
In addition to health services, PTAR also held health seminar featuring specialist doctors as speakers. This seminar targeting integrated services post (posyandu) cadres and village midwives has been held six times throughout this year. The last time on 30 October 2024, PTAR held health seminar in Marancar Puskesmas.
“Health seminar is a medium to share knowledge and exchange ideas for posyandu cadres and village midwives as the spearheads of community health services,” said Christine.
Israyana Siregar, a Batang Toru resident, said that she once had her pregnancy checked by a specialist obstetrician at Batang Toru Puskesmas. The examination was conducted using USG. She felt that the service from a specialist doctor is very beneficial because it is near and free. The doctor is also friendly and informative.
“I was lucky to receive free specialist doctor services because generally there are no specialist doctors in Puskesmas. If you need to see a specialist, you have to go to the hospital and pay. So, I was very happy to be able to see a specialist doctor for free,” she said.
