MALARIA PERDHAKI, Jayapura – A total of 45 participants took part in the malaria cadre and cadre companion training held in the villages of Jayapura Regency. The event was organized by the Indonesian Health Missionary Association (Perdhaki) Papua Region SR PWK Jayapura 1 on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Horex Hotel, Sentani. The Head of SR PWK Jayapura 1, Erhadus Desa, stated that the activity was attended by 45 individuals from 22 villages and 4 community health centers, trained to become malaria cadres. “In addition to being trained to carry out treatment-related tasks, they are also trained in prevention efforts, including public outreach and education on how to maintain personal and environmental hygiene. This is aimed at creating a cleaner and healthier living environment,” he said.

Erhadus Desa also added that this program is a form of concern from the Catholic Church, in collaboration with the government and other parties, to take part in eradicating malaria within the community. “We have many limitations, which is why we are grateful to be able to work together. Even with our limited resources, we can collaborate with the government, and we are also supported by the Global Fund in carrying out this training program,” he stated. Furthermore, the Head of SR PWK Jayapura 1 expressed hope that through this collaboration with various stakeholders, malaria eradication efforts in the villages can run smoothly and successfully achieve the objectives of the program.

“We hope that over time there will be a transformational change within the community itself — a change in behavior and attitudes toward valuing cleanliness and maintaining a clean environment so that, in turn, we can be free from malaria,” said Erhadus Desa. On the other hand, the Head of the Jayapura Regency Health Office, represented by the Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division, Pungut Sunarto, stated that the malaria cadre training aligns with the expectations outlined in Minister of Health Regulation No. 41 of 2018 concerning the Implementation of Early Detection and Administration of Anti-Malaria Drugs by Malaria Cadres in Areas with Special Situations. “It includes provisions regarding the authority of cadres in the detection and treatment of malaria, so legally, it is permitted,” he explained.

Pungut Sunarto also added that, in accordance with the Jayapura Regency Regent Regulation Number 44 of 2017 concerning the Guidelines for Malaria Recovery Towards Elimination by 2030, one of the points requires that every village or hamlet has malaria cadres. “We are also assisted by Perdhaki with 45 cadres from 22 villages in the districts of East Sentani, Nimborang, Kemtuk, and Depapre,” he said. He hopes that the community can participate in socialization efforts and help identify any remaining malaria cases in the villages so that treatment can be carried out in coordination with the local community health centers.

This news was previously published by Berita Papua. Link: https://www.beritapapua.co/kesehatan/2021/09/45-kader-malaria-di-jayapura-dilatih-jalankan-pekerjaan-pengobatan-sosialisasi-dan-edukasi/