MALARIA PERDHAKI, Timika – The Health Office (Dinkes) of Mimika Regency held Training and Inauguration for Malaria Cadres as part of the Perdhaki (Persatuan Karya Dharma Kesehatan Indonesia) GFATM-PPM program together with SR Yayasan Caritas, SSR Paroki Emanuel Mapurujaya, and St. Petrus SP 3. The event took place at Hotel Horison Diana on Friday, October 23, 2024, aimed at accelerating the reduction of malaria cases. The training was attended by 43 selected participants who were appointed as malaria cadres. Their duties include actively detecting malaria cases through house-to-house visits, administering malaria medication, monitoring medication adherence, and providing education to the community to prevent malaria in villages covered by the health centers of Wania, Pasar Sentral, Timika, Timika Jaya, Jileale, Bhintuka, and Limau Asri. Mimika Deputy Regent, Johannes Rettob, in his speech during the inauguration, expressed appreciation for the Malaria Center’s hard work during the implementation of the 20th National Sports Week (PON XX) in 2021, which ensured that athletes and officials returned to their respective regions in good health.

“We have previously agreed to reduce malaria by the year 2026. That’s why we need to innovate ways to bring down malaria cases, one of which is through this cadre training,” said Deputy Regent JR. Therefore, these cadres receive training about malaria, learn about the disease, and are expected to live among the community so they can provide information to help quickly overcome malaria. “Why does malaria continue to be prevalent? It’s because patients never finish their full course of medication or never complete taking their malaria medicine properly. So, these cadres must keep monitoring, and you will be living together with the community,” he added.

It is hoped that the number of malaria cadres will continue to increase, not only limited to the city area but also spreading to other regions. The eradication of malaria is not solely the responsibility of health workers but involves many sectors that contribute to the spread of malaria. “Only about 25 percent of malaria cases are related to health factors; the rest are caused by things like stagnant water and other issues outside the health sector, so all sectors must support each other to reduce malaria, which is the overall target of the government,” he explained. Therefore, moving forward, the Malaria Center will always provide recommendations to the government regarding budgeting, making the malaria budget structure in Mimika a priority program. “I hope that in the future, the Malaria Center will have products that can help the government allocate funds specifically for malaria-related needs,” he added.

This news was previously published by Fajar Papua. Link: https://fajarpapua.com/2021/10/23/dinkes-mimika-dan-perdhaki-kukuhkan-kader-malaria-wabup-jr-para-kader-harus-hidup-ditengah-masyarakat/