MALARIA PERDHAKI, Mimika – SSR Santo Petrus SP3 of the Perdhaki Malaria Program (Persatuan Karya Dharma Kesehatan Indonesia), in collaboration with the Mimika District Health Office, through malaria cadre volunteers, conducted the planting of red lemongrass in 27 neighborhood units (RT) in Karang Senang Subdistrict on Thursday, May 6, 2023. Moriana Hungan, Field Facilitator of SSR Santo Petrus SP3 of the Perdhaki Malaria Program, stated that red lemongrass is effective in repelling mosquitoes, including the Anopheles mosquito, which is the vector of malaria, by planting it around homes. "This is our first time doing this in Mimika District, particularly in Karang Senang Subdistrict, because we already have a cooperation. The plan is to plant red lemongrass in 27 neighborhood units in the area," she said to Papua60detik on Thursday, May 6, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Program Manager of SSR Santo Petrus, Veronica Teturan, stated that in collaboration with the Health Office, her team continues to carry out innovations in villages, one of which is the planting of red lemongrass. “Therefore, we involve our malaria cadres in these efforts for their own villages, including the planting of lemongrass and communal work activities,” she said. She hopes that in the future, further innovations from the red lemongrass can be developed, such as making it into mosquito repellent lotion.

The Head of Karang Senang Subdistrict, Yemes Etrenki, appreciated the planting of mosquito-repelling plants. He expressed concern over the rising malaria cases in his area since the beginning of 2023. “I am very concerned about the malaria cases in SP3, because instead of decreasing, they are increasing. After this lemongrass planting activity, I fully support and encourage it,” he said. He hopes that Karang Senang can become an example for other subdistricts in Mimika Regency to help reduce malaria cases in the region.

This news was previously published by Papua 60 Detik Link: https://papua60detik.id/berita/ssr-santo-petrus-sp3-bersama-kader-malaria-karang-senang-tanam-serai-merah