MALARIA PERDHAKI, Manokwari – The Indonesian Health Service Unity Association (Perdhaki) Sub Recipient (SR) Yayasan Tifa Mandiri (Yatima) conducted a training activity on Communication Strategies, Behavioral Change, and Community Mobilization for Key Figures on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. This activity was carried out to support malaria elimination efforts during the 2024–2026 period in Eastern Indonesia, specifically in the provinces of West Papua and Southwest Papua.

The Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division at the West Papua Health Office, Dr. Nurmawati, in her speech stated that according to national data, the highest malaria cases in Eastern Indonesia are still held by provinces in Papua. However, in 2022, South Sorong Regency became the first regency in Papua to be declared malaria-free. “Then in 2024, the malaria-free status was also achieved by Arfak Mountains Regency,” she said.

Nurmawati expressed her appreciation and support for the training conducted by Perdhaki. She believes that the Communication Strategies, Behavioral Change, and Community Mobilization for Key Figures in the Malaria Program can accelerate malaria elimination at the village level through the intervention of village funds. “We hope for the support of the village heads and community members in intervening in environments that serve as breeding grounds for malaria mosquitoes so they can be controlled or even eradicated,” she said. Furthermore, Nurmawati emphasized the need to raise awareness and concern among village communities so that malaria is not underestimated. If not properly addressed, malaria can cause serious health problems for patients and affect children's growth and development, and it can even lead to death in both children and adults.

Previously, the Program Manager of SR Yatima, Riska Rosy Pratiwi, stated in her report that the Perdhaki Malaria Program strives to foster a collective movement involving all layers of society and stakeholders through various strategies to accelerate malaria elimination. “By using a community empowerment-based approach such as advocacy, behavior change communication, and community mobilization, the Perdhaki Malaria Program aims to build a sustainable Malaria Program by encouraging the community to become the subject of change,” Riska said.

In the implementation of the Malaria Program, besides involving Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Perdhaki also engages various key figures as program partners. By involving these key figures, it is expected that support for the accelerated malaria elimination movement at the village and district levels will become more intensive. With the involvement of key figures in the implementation of the Malaria Program, Perdhaki also conducts integrated training to enhance capacities in advocacy, vocational skills, policy analysis, facilitation techniques, and community mobilization. This activity is based on the need to prepare staff who have the capacity to advocate for community interests, analyze relevant policies, facilitate active community participation, and encourage positive social change.

“The Communication Strategy Capacity Building Training aims to enhance the abilities of key figures in advocacy, policy analysis, facilitation techniques, and community mobilization,” he said. This four-day activity was attended by 45 participants, including representatives from the Health Office, village officials, village facilitators, urban ward officials, neighborhood heads, community leaders, traditional leaders, community empowerment experts, and SSR program managers.

This news was previously published by RRI. Link: https://www.rri.co.id/kesehatan/916129/strategi-perdhaki-sr-yatima-dukung-eliminasi-malaria