Dra. Trikoranti Mustikawati, Apt or familiarly called Ranti achieved the biggest achievement in her career when she was appointed Head of the Palangka Raya Food and Drug Monitoring Center (BPOM) in 2015. Not only served as head, but Ranti also managed to improve the status of BPOM from echelon III to echelon II in 2018. Thus, BPOM Palangka Raya changed to the Palangka Raya POM Center.

"In 2015, BPOM Palangka Raya was still at echelon III level. Then my team and I tried to make the performance of all BPOM employees good so that they could become echelon II, becoming the Palangka Raya POM Center," she explained. But achieving these positions and achievements is not easy. Many things must be passed by the 1981 alumnus of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University.

Career Journey

Ranti's first work experience was being in charge of a pharmacy. At that time, she had just graduated from college and was waiting for the decree (SK) to come out. In that job, the knowledge learned during college began to be applied. That is, how to conduct educational information to the public or how to carry out operations in a pharmacy.

"Then, after the decree came out, I resigned from the pharmacy and worked as a CPNS at the regional office of the NTB health department," continued Ranti.

At that time, NTB was one of the provinces that held a project to procure medicines for pharmaceutical warehouses in districts/cities. Because of this, Ranti had the opportunity to attend computer training for the procurement of medicines in pharmaceutical warehouses, and next year's planning was adjusted to the needs of each district/city.

"I learned a lot about the procurement of medicines in pharmaceutical warehouses in districts/cities throughout NTB," she said. 

Later, Ranti was asked to fill a vacant position at Mataram General Hospital for four months. After that, around 1992 she was placed at BPOM Mataram to become the head of the drug inspection sub-section. Because the work location was far from her husband, Ranti finally asked permission to move to the POM Center in Surabaya. 

There Ranti had to start as an inspection staff. She began learning about the supervision of production and distribution facilities, as well as learning about criminal offenses in the field of drugs and food.

"I learned these things because my job is not only to inspect facilities but also to investigate criminal violations of drugs and food," Ranti explained.

Ranti then climbed the career ladder, becoming head of the investigation section. Then she became the head of the inspection section. It wasn't long before she was promoted to head of

investigation and examination. In 2015, she was transferred to become the head of BPOM Palangka Raya.

Do Your Duties and Responsibilities to the Best of Your Ability

While doing a job, there are certainly many ups and downs that are faced. But according to Ranti, as a civil servant (PNS), she must be responsible for whatever her duties are and wherever she is placed.

"I feel that whatever is assigned to me and wherever it is, I must do my best according to my duties and responsibilities," she explained.

Thus, one of the most enjoyable moments during work for Ranti is when she and her team succeed in uncovering a case assigned to her. According to her, apart from finally working hard in investigating a case that pays off, she also manages to protect the public from counterfeit drugs and unqualified food.

 Even so, it cannot be denied that when stationed outside the island, such as in Palangka Raya, Ranti experienced cultural barriers. The differences in customs and the character of the people made Ranti have to learn to adapt.

"When I arrived in Palangka Raya, which is located in Central Kalimantan Province, I began to learn about the character of the people there to cooperate with cross-sectors and to be able to adjust," Ranti explained.

 Developing MSMEs and Safe Markets Free of Hazardous Materials

 During her tenure as head of the Palangka Raya POM Center, Ranti also strives to develop local MSMEs, so as to increase the competitiveness of Central Kalimantan province. There are several efforts that Ranti and her team have made so that MSMEs can produce quality products and market them. These include technical guidance and training.

Ranti and her team also strive to make the market in Palangka Raya a safe market for the community. For this reason, they held a Safe Market Free of Hazardous Materials program. The program is implemented by providing training to market officers to test for harmful content in food. Not only did they conduct training, they also provided rapid test kits.

 "Finally, in 2018 one of the markets in Palangka Raya was included in the top three safe markets free of hazardous materials nationally," she said.

 A similar program was continued in 2019 and brought one of the markets in the North Barito district to the second rank of safe hazard-free markets. These efforts continue to be made so that people are safe when buying food.

 While still working at the Palangka Raya POM Center, Ranti plans to continue to improve MSMEs and cross-sector cooperation and prevent the public from unqualified drugs and food.

During the current pandemic, Ranti and her team did not stop empowering MSMEs. They continue to assist even though they have to use information technology.

Message for Universitas Airlangga Students
 To her younger siblings who are currently studying in college, Ranti advised them to continue to struggle and learn, and love the country. When working later, whatever obstacles there are must be faced with enthusiasm. In addition, wherever they will be placed, Ranti advised the students to maintain the good name of the alma mater and maintain the good name of the alumni.

 "Wherever we work, remain honest, responsible, and maintain the good name of our alma mater," she concluded.

Source : The Footprints of Airlanggas's Knights Edition V