Advocacy and Evaluation Forum for Perkasa Cadres Encourages Strengthening of Integrated ATM Services in Papua

MALARIA PERDHAKI–JAYAPURA. The Advocacy and Evaluation Forum for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM) Integrated Cadres was held on 10–11 December 2025 in Jayapura Regency.

The forum received broad cross-sectoral support and positive responses, ranging from the Ministry of Health to local government authorities.

Head of the Health Promotion Working Team at the Ministry of Health, Martina Rahayu, stated that the Advocacy and Evaluation Forum for Perkasa Cadres in Jayapura provided a clear overview of program implementation and the contributions made by the cadres.

“This activity is truly extraordinary because we can meet great cadres who remain enthusiastic in contributing and playing their roles in helping us improve community health,” Martina said in Jayapura.

She added that through this forum, Perkasa Cadres from Nabire, Merauke, and Jayapura are expected to continue learning and enhancing their contributions, particularly in health services in Papua.

In developing the program going forward, Martina also encouraged cross-sectoral collaboration, both within health programs and with other sectors.

Meanwhile, the Acting Regional Secretary of Jayapura Regency, Yusuf Yambe Yabdi, explained that this advocacy forum is expected to serve as a bridge for conveying the implementation of the Perkasa Cadre program related to the integration of ATM services in Papua.

“We hope that through this activity, all issues faced in villages can be clearly communicated to village, district, and regency governments, as well as to provincial and central governments,” Yusuf said during the opening of the forum on Wednesday (10/12).

He further stated that through this advocacy effort, it is hoped that programs implemented by the central government through local governments will be more accurately targeted.

“In that way, existing policies can be more precise in delivering the best outcomes for beneficiaries across all services related to efforts to minimize and ultimately eliminate malaria, HIV, and TB,” Yusuf explained.

Director of the Indonesian Catholic Health Association (Perdhaki), Dr. Felix Gunawan, explained that the Perkasa Cadre program, which has been running since July 2025, is a pilot project.

“Perdhaki has received a commitment to continue this program until March 2026, and we hope that it can continue and be expanded to other regions,” Dr. Felix said.

The Advocacy and Evaluation of the Perkasa Cadre Program involved a total of 38 cadres and 11 facilitators from three regions: Nabire, Merauke, and Jayapura.

During the forum, five villages signed Village Regulations (Perkam) on Malaria Elimination, witnessed directly by the Acting Regional Secretary of Jayapura Regency.

In addition, each region presented its achievements, including the number of household visits and referrals made, and set up information service booths or stands that were directly accessible to visitors.

Dalam sesi lainnya, juga digelar talkshow bertajuk “Satu Rumah Tiga Risiko” dengan menghadirkan para pembicara dari Kementerian Kesehatan serta PR Komunitas lainnya seperti Yayasan Penabulu dan Stop TB Partnership Indonesia (STPI), Indonesia AIDS Coalition (IAC) serta Yayasan Spiritia.