MALARIA PERDHAKI, Timika – The Community Welfare Development Foundation (YAPKEMA) revealed that the malaria cases in Paniai are mostly imported malaria. YAPKEMA Director, Hanok Herison Pigai, disclosed that they have found a total of 9 patients testing positive for malaria. Seven of them are from Mogeya Village, one from Obaiyoweta Village, and one from Epouto Village.

“The types of malaria found in those three locations are categorized as imported malaria. Imported malaria means the disease is brought by people who have previously lived in Nabire, Jayapura, or Timika and were infected by malaria parasites before returning to their villages. They are not residents who have permanently lived in the villages,” he explained during the Perdhaki Malaria Workshop at the GSG Uwata Wogi Yogi Hall, Enarotali, Papua, on Friday, October 13, 2017.

In the workshop, Pigai explained that the workshop on malaria was held to prevent and combat malaria disease in Paniai Regency and the Meepago area in general. He said that although the number of positive malaria cases in Paniai Regency is low, the disease still requires attention and seriousness, especially compared to deadly diseases like HIV/AIDS. “Therefore, malaria must be taken seriously. The number of positive malaria cases we found in Paniai is nine. That’s not many. But malaria must still be prevented. Especially since, up until September, the number of AIDS patients has already reached around a thousand. That is only those who came for testing,” said Hanok.

To streamline the work, he said, they have established UKBM (Community-Based Health Efforts) since 2016. These UKBMs are located in four villages: UKBM Mogeya in West Paniai, UKBM Ugidimi in Bibida, UKBM Obaiyoweta in East Paniai (now called Wegebino), and UKBM Epouto in Yatamo District. “We coordinate directly with the heads of the community health centers (puskesmas) where the UKBMs are located. So all the health workers involved are directly participating in the Perdhaki Malaria program,” he explained.

He mentioned that the Head of Bibida Community Health Center, Natalis Zonggonau, and Mrs. Wandik, the Head of Obano Community Health Center, assigned Nurse Yanuaria Utii—an honorary staff member. The Yatamo Community Health Center assigned Midwife Selviana Bobii, and Dr. Laswan assigned Nurse Gobai along with health cadres taken from each village who have long worked or been involved in previous YAPKEMA programs. “Before the Perdhaki Malaria program existed, these individuals had already worked with YAPKEMA in the field of HIV/AIDS. So, they are not new,” he explained. He said they have been given training and core practical knowledge about malaria. They were also coached on basic skills such as calculating infant age, counting breaths, and recognizing danger signs in toddlers.

"He hopes that when they conduct malaria examinations and treatments, they can also play a role in providing aid or referrals for emergency cases that cannot be handled at the community health centers," he explained. Furthermore, he said the goal is to reduce the mortality rate among Indigenous Papuans, which has been increasingly significant each year and has an impact leading toward genocide. Alberth H., Program Manager of the Caritas Timika Papua Foundation (SR YCTP) in the Timika Diocese, said the objective of the Malaria Perdhaki program is the eradication of malaria in the Eastern Indonesia region (KTI) and the reduction of mortality rates.

In the Meepago region, he said, the Malaria Perdhaki program has already been implemented in three areas, namely Nabire, Dogiyai, and Paniai. “Nabire has 5 villages, Dogiyai has 4 villages, and Paniai has 4 villages. Thankfully, in all these villages, the program has been running optimally despite some challenges,” he said. According to him, the Malaria Perdhaki program aspires to reach all areas throughout the Meepago region. For this reason, cooperation is expected from various unified institutions, both government and non-government, present in each area.

“AIDS, TB, and malaria are three deadly diseases that have claimed and continue to claim thousands of lives, from infants to adults. Therefore, let us fight them. We hope that all institutions, both government and non-government, will pay attention to ensure the smooth running of this program,” he urged. Sister Apriana Zonggonau, a member of UKBM Ugidimi-Bibida, admitted that the Malaria Perdhaki program has provided great benefits for herself and the community in her service area. “This program has given me a lot of knowledge. Now I am more confident in treating and giving medicine to the people in my area. Many people come now, unlike before,” she said when given the opportunity to testify about the program.

This news was published by Seputar Papua. Link: https://seputarpapua.com/view/dinkes-mimika-siapkan-kader-malaria-untuk-tiga-distrik.html