Despite ongoing efforts to develop the Belitang Transmigration Area (KTM), access to clean water and proper sanitation remains a major concern in several supporting villages. These issues were discussed during a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) involving representatives from 11 KTM supporting villages, held at the Mujo Rahayu Village Hall on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
The discussion was facilitated by Nikie Astorina YD, SKM, M.Kes, Chair of the Patriot Expedition Team 1 Belitang, and attended by village officials and community representatives. The FGD also involved the Dinas Transmigrasi dan Tenaga Kerja Kabupaten OKU Timur as a key stakeholder in transmigration area development. Among the participants was Cindy Kurniasari, a student from the Faculty of Public Health, Diponegoro University, who is also a member of the Patriot Expedition Team and participated in the discussion.
During the FGD, participants shared that most villages still depend on dug wells and bore wells as their main sources of water. However, water quality and availability remain inconsistent. Heavy rainfall often leads to turbid water, while prolonged dry seasons significantly reduce water supply. As a result, the water available in many areas is generally used for daily household needs and does not meet drinking water standards.
A representative from Harjo Mulyo Village explained that basic water quality testing conducted in collaboration with the local public health center showed that the water was not safe for drinking, highlighting the need for support through the PAMSIMAS program. Similar challenges were reported by Tanjung Kukuh Village, which currently lacks access to PAMSIMAS and faces limited and uneven distribution of household wells.
Sanitation issues were also a key topic of discussion. Several villages reported limited access to proper latrines for low-income households, as well as ongoing practices of discharging domestic wastewater into household yards, which may pose risks to environmental and public health. Through the FGD, villages expressed hopes for improved access to PAMSIMAS facilities, enhanced support for water quality testing, and sustained sanitation assistance as part of broader efforts to improve community health in the KTM area.
