Babel PKK Chair’s Initiative Brings Free Mass Circumcision to 52 Children

PANGKALPINANG — A free mass circumcision program initiated by the Chair of the Bangka Belitung Province TP-PKK, Noni Hidayat, eased the burden on families in Pangkalpinang. A total of 52 children from various districts joined the service at Depati Hamzah Regional Hospital on Monday (6/22/2026), as circumcision costs at clinics were said to reach millions of rupiah.

Mass circumcision answers rising costs

The program addresses a basic need for residents. For many families, circumcision is not a simple expense because the cost often becomes a major budget item, especially when carried out at private health facilities. For households with limited income, that price feels heavy.

That is why free mass circumcision has become a relevant option. Parents do not only get financial relief, but also access to proper health services for their children. Short version: breathing room.

Babel TP-PKK Chair Noni Hidayat Arsani explained that the activity grew out of conditions seen in the field. “Why mass circumcision? If circumcision is done at a clinic, for example, the cost can reach millions of rupiah. That is quite high. With this activity, the burden on the public becomes lighter,” she said.

Part of the 54th HKG PKK and the 10 PKK core programs

The program does not stand alone. TP-PKK Babel placed it within the 2026 commemoration of the 54th Family Welfare Movement Day, or HKG PKK, while also treating it as part of the implementation of PKK’s 10 core programs in the community.

That means PKK’s work did not stop at ceremony. The free health service was directed to reach families directly, especially for needs that are often postponed because of cost. For residents, that matters.

Noni said the 2026 implementation marked the second year her team had organized a similar activity. On that day, services were centered at two locations: the Babel TP-PKK Secretariat in the Governor’s Office complex and Depati Hamzah Regional Hospital in Pangkalpinang.

The target is also sizeable. TP-PKK Babel is preparing to reach as many as 500 children across Bangka Belitung through a series of activities that will be held in rotation across other regencies and cities.

Support from institutions and business partners

The mass circumcision event involved several parties that helped with technical and logistical needs. Support came from Baznas Babel, Bank Sumsel Babel Pangkalpinang Branch, PT Swarna Nusa Sentosa, and PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia Depati Amir Branch.

The presence of these partners shows a fairly neat pattern of collaboration. Local government, social institutions, and the business sector met at one point: public service. The result was felt directly on the ground.

Noni stressed that TP-PKK serves as a strategic government partner and a driver of change. She said the PKK movement must touch the root problems faced by residents, not stop at administrative activities. “As a strategic partner of the government and a driver of change, PKK is present through various movements that reach the root of the people’s problems,” she said.

She also linked the activity to President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita and the vision and mission of Babel Governor Hidayat Arsani. According to her, the alignment between central and regional policies gives PKK programs in Babel a shared direction.

Residents feel the immediate benefit

The program’s benefits were felt most quickly by participating families. Aisyah, a Pangkalpinang resident, said she was helped because circumcision costs are now quite high. She said the free program eased household spending and provided proper health services for children.

“Thank God, we are very grateful for a program like this. Circumcision costs are quite high now. This program really helps the community, especially families,” Aisyah said.

She also expressed appreciation to the parties involved. “Especially with middle- to lower-income conditions. Thank you, Bunda Noni, Mr. Governor, Bunda Susanti, Mr. Mayor,” she said.

Rahmat, another parent of a participant, said programs like this deserve to be expanded to other parts of Babel. According to him, the children not only received the procedure for free, but also got souvenirs and pocket money. “People in other regencies and cities in Babel should join. Hopefully there will be even more participants in the future,” he said.

Field collaboration and a broader service target

Also attending the event were Pangkalpinang Mayor Saparudin, Acting City Secretary Budi Yanto, Pangkalpinang TP-PKK Chair Susanti Saparudin, and several administrators from both the Babel and Pangkalpinang TP-PKK.

The event included symbolic souvenir handovers to participant representatives. After that, Noni Hidayat inspected the circumcision process together with Susanti Saparudin. The committee also presented an appreciation plaque to TP-PKK Pangkalpinang for its support.

The presence of regional officials shows that the activity was positioned as a public service, not merely an internal organization agenda. There was field work, there were beneficiaries, and there was a clear reach target.

For participating families, what mattered most remained simple: lower costs, services for the children, and a process carried out without a heavy burden. One striking number from the event was 52 children, the number of participants who directly benefited from the free mass circumcision program at Depati Hamzah Regional Hospital in Pangkalpinang.