Working Hand in Hand: SSR Trapesia, Community Health Centers (Puskesmas), and the People of Teluk Wondama Collaborate to Control Malaria Vectors

MALARIA PERDHAKI – Teluk Wondama. Various stakeholders are continuing to intensify efforts to reduce the spread of malaria in Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua. In response to the increase in malaria cases across several Community Health Center (Puskesmas) service areas, Malaria Perdhaki, through SSR Trapesia, took the initiative to launch a cross-sector collaborative action.

This mitigation effort focuses on vector control in villages experiencing a rise in malaria cases. To maximize its impact, SSR Trapesia coordinated with the Teluk Wondama District Health Office, local Community Health Centers (Puskesmas), and Village Malaria Teams, including those in Torey Village and Sobey Indah Village.

The intervention targeted seven villages identified as priority areas for accelerating malaria elimination in Teluk Wondama Regency: Yerenusi, Ambumi, Torey, Isuy, Wasior II, Sobey Village, and Sobey Indah. These seven villages fall under the jurisdiction of four Community Health Centers: Wondiboi, Wasior, Sobey Indah, and Kuriwamisa. Through direct supervision and village discussions, SSR Trapesia successfully mobilized active participation from community members and healthcare workers to work together in the field.

The mitigation program implemented three comprehensive vector control strategies. These included identifying mosquito breeding habitats, carrying out environmental interventions through larvicide application, implementing biological control measures, and preparing for Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS). All parties involved hope that these measures will significantly reduce malaria transmission rates.

The Teluk Wondama District Health Office fully supported the initiative by providing larvicide supplies and IRS-related materials, including Abate, Breaket, Marviks 100 EC, and Ranggatox 50 EC. Meanwhile, the implementation of IRS also requires adequate human resource readiness from each Community Health Center team. Currently, the Wasior Community Health Center team is preparing the necessary personnel for IRS activities in Wasior II Village.

Through environmental interventions in the seven villages, field teams discovered Anopheles mosquito larvae in 19 locations, consisting of 15 previously identified breeding habitats and 4 newly discovered ones. The four new breeding sites were found in old, abandoned boats that had become ideal breeding grounds for Anopheles mosquitoes.

Field officers immediately responded to these findings by applying larvicides and releasing tin-head fish as biological control agents. Through strong collaboration among Malaria Perdhaki, government agencies, and local communities, all stakeholders remain optimistic that they can soon break the chain of malaria transmission in Teluk Wondama and achieve complete malaria elimination.