MALARIA PERDHAKI, Waikabubak – The Malaria Perdhaki Program, through SSR St. Peter and Paul Parish Waikabubak and Stella Maris University Sumba, collaborated to conduct malaria education and screening in West Sumba.

Aiming to accelerate malaria elimination in West Sumba Regency, the education and malaria screening activities were held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Moto Dawu Traditional Village, Harona Kalla Village, West Sumba Regency.

Program Manager of SSR PSPP Waikabubak, Oktavianus Hans Maur (Okto), said that this educational initiative was designed as a Village Discussion activity, involving Malaria Cadres, Malaria Elimination Volunteers (REM), Malaria Cadre Assistants from Gaura Community Health Center, as well as two lecturers from Stella Maris University Sumba.

“This collaboration is one of the effective strategies to encourage multi-stakeholder involvement in education and early prevention at the community level,” said Okto. 

Meanwhile, Malaria Elimination Volunteer and facilitator of the Village Discussion, Christian Ade Wohangara, stated that using the Village Discussion method is more effective in delivering messages about malaria control to community groups.

“By using the Village Discussion method, residents are educated in a simple and participatory way to understand malaria, its symptoms, causes, transmission patterns, prevention, and the importance of taking prescribed medication for malaria patients,” Ade added during the same occasion. 

Okto went on to explain that the activity concluded with Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) screenings for participants in the Village Discussion.

“The collaboration between SSR PSPP Waikabubak and Stella Maris University shows that a community-based multidisciplinary approach has proven effective, especially in conducting education and early detection of malaria,” Okto explained.

Head of the Hospital Administration Study Program at Stella Maris University Sumba, Bewa Dangu Wole, also appreciated the collaboration between both parties and commended the approach of the Malaria Perdhaki Program carried out by SSR PSPP Waikabubak

Especially after observing how the Village Discussion method fosters enthusiasm and participation among residents learning together about malaria. 

The event concluded with a joint commitment to prepare Moto Dawu Traditional Village as a model traditional village free from malaria.