Anticipating AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Kalamba Village Finalizes a Participatory Village Regulation Draft

MALARIA PERDHAKI-Kalamba. The Kalamba Village Government and SSR Dekenat Waingapu have taken a strategic step to strengthen community health protection against infectious diseases, namely AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM). Through a socialization program and intensive discussions, both parties have promoted the formulation of a Village Regulation (Perdes) on the Prevention of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The activity was held at the Village Hall on May 19, 2026.

The event was attended by 25 participants, including the Head of Kalamba Village, village officials, and HMD cadres. Representatives from the East Sumba Regency Legal Bureau and the medical team from Rambangaru Community Health Center (Puskesmas Rambangaru), including Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, and Malaria program officers, were also present to provide direct assistance throughout the process. The participation of stakeholders from various sectors clearly demonstrated a strong commitment to breaking the chain of transmission of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in Kalamba Village.

During the forum, participants reached a common understanding that a legal framework at the village level is urgently needed. The Head of Kalamba Village emphasized that the Village Regulation would serve as a legal foundation, providing residents with binding preventive guidelines. The Head of Puskesmas Rambangaru expressed a similar view, stating that the regulation would support the health center’s efforts in the field, particularly in raising public awareness among community members who often overlook the early symptoms of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

A representative from the East Sumba Regency Legal Bureau explained that the drafting process should be carried out based on participatory principles. This approach aims to encourage residents to become actively involved in formulating the regulation currently under discussion. Therefore, the draft regulation still requires input, corrections, and contextual references from community members.

In the end, all participants agreed on five crucial and substantive points to be included in the draft Village Regulation. These points include the obligation for residents traveling outside the village for more than three days to report their travel and undergo a health check conducted by community health cadres, as well as the requirement for residents experiencing a cough lasting more than two weeks to seek examination at the community health center immediately. In addition, participants agreed to reactivate the regular “Clean Friday” community clean-up program, require overnight guests from outside the area to report and undergo health screening, and establish specific rules requiring organizers of traditional ceremonies to provide mosquito bite prevention medication or protective equipment for guests staying overnight.

Seluruh peserta juga bersepakat bahwa apa pun bentuk pelanggaran terhadap Perdes yang segera disahkan ini akan dikenakan sanksi tegas. Regulasi berbasis komunitas ini diharapkan menjadi pondasi yang kokoh dalam mewujudkan Desa Kalamba yang sehat, aman, dan mandiri dalam mengantisipasi ancaman penyakit menular. Kesepakatan tersebut mencerminkan komitmen yang kuat dari para warga  yang akan menjadi faktor penting kesuksesan implementasi Perdes tersebut.