Kaugapu Village Officially Establishes Malaria Elimination Task Force to Achieve a Disease-Free Area

MALARIA PERDHAKI – Mimika. The Kaugapu Village Government, East Mimika District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province, has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the health status of its community. As a concrete step in combating malaria, the Village Government officially established the Kaugapu Village Malaria Elimination Task Force on Monday, March 30, 2026.

The formation of this team is a follow-up to a coordination meeting previously held on March 17, 2026. This step was taken to ensure that malaria eradication efforts are carried out in a structured and sustainable manner.

The task force has clearly defined roles targeting various aspects, from prevention to treatment. Its organizational structure consists of a Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer, supported by four key divisions working in an integrated manner.

The Health Promotion Division focuses on community education and outreach, while the Anopheles Mosquito Control Division addresses environmental issues and disease vectors. In addition, the Migration Survey Division monitors population movement to prevent cross-regional transmission, and the Treatment Adherence Monitoring Division (PMO) ensures that malaria patients complete their full course of medication.

The Kaugapu Village Government emphasized that this team is not merely symbolic, as it carries significant responsibility in driving concrete actions in the field. The team is tasked with monitoring the equitable distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets to residents and fully supporting the implementation of focal spraying or indoor residual spraying. Moreover, they play an active role in mobilizing community clean-up efforts to maintain environmental hygiene and ensuring that every resident has quick access to adequate malaria testing and treatment services.

To achieve the elimination target, the Kaugapu Village Government has expressed its readiness to provide full support, including legal backing through the issuance of an official decree (SK) for the team. A village government representative stated that the formation of this task force is a concrete step toward making Kaugapu malaria-free. Its success will heavily depend on collaboration between the District Government, the Community Health Center, the village administration, and all levels of society. With the presence of this team, it is hoped that malaria cases can be significantly reduced through strong synergy between health workers and active community participation.