Jayapura Regency Appoints 30 Village Malaria Cadres to Accelerate Malaria Elimination
By: Adrianus Kasih Sepu, PM SSR Yapukepa I
MALARIA PERDHAKI–SENTANI. Jayapura Regency recorded around 71,000 malaria cases in 2025 due to high transmission rates in swampy rainforest areas with heavy rainfall, which serve as ideal breeding grounds for Anopheles mosquitoes. Transmission risks are further heightened by limited healthcare access in remote areas, high population mobility, and frequent outdoor activities at night.
As an intervention measure, 30 candidate Village Malaria Cadres (Juru Malaria Desa or JMD) were officially appointed following a training session held on October 12–16, 2026, at Hotel Grand Cartenz, Sentani, Jayapura. Funded by the Perdhaki Malaria Program, the activity was conducted in collaboration with SSR Yapukepa II and the Jayapura Regency Health Office to assist local government efforts in accelerating malaria elimination.
The cadres hail from 15 villages selected based on a needs assessment of each area. The recruitment process was conducted jointly by village governments, local public health centers (puskesmas), and the local health office, with personnel numbers tailored to the size and population density of each territory. The addition of these 30 JMD cadres complements the existing malaria cadres previously deployed across 19 districts, encompassing 139 villages and 5 sub-districts.
Participants were divided into five groups. The material covered knowledge about malaria and its prevention, job skills, community education, and the importance of patients completing their treatment. Committee chair Tomi S. Aliljaman said the cadres’ closeness to residents helps bridge the need for information and health services at the village level.
JMD cadres serve as a vital bridge between the community and healthcare facilities, using an active outreach approach to detect cases early, educate residents, provide screening referrals, and monitor patients to ensure complete treatment compliance. Beyond malaria, cadres are encouraged to integrate public health education for other infectious diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis, and leprosy. All field health activities will be reported regularly to local health centers and escalated through official channels to the central government.
“Medical staff and health centers have their limitations. Therefore, our cadres are the key pioneers on the ground, standing on the frontlines to boost elimination targets,” said the Head of the Jayapura Regency Health Office, dr. Anton Mote, M.KM., in his opening remarks. “Through integrated cadre strengthening and close collaboration with churches and the community, we are optimistic that Jayapura Regency will be disease-free by 2030.”
The Health Office is also pushing the development of ATM-K cadres to handle HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, and leprosy, along with cross-sector cooperation with churches and church-based health facilities such as Klinik Robertus. To sustain the success of elimination, the Healthy Village (Kampung Sehat) concept is being developed, including migration surveillance through malaria testing for newcomers to prevent cases from entering from outside the area. Proper education is expected to reduce stigma against HIV, TB, and leprosy patients.
The Chair of the Parish Council (DPP) of Sang Penebus Sentani Parish stressed that malaria concerns the future of families and children, which is why the Catholic Church is getting involved alongside SSR Yapukepa II and the Health Office. He hopes the cadres will become the “eyes and ears” of the church, health centers (puskesmas), and health workers.
The Head of SSR Yapukepa II emphasized that malaria control cannot rely on health workers alone, and asked the cadres to strengthen record-keeping, reporting, and coordination. The Head of SR II encouraged the cadre candidates to overcome fears of community rejection and a lack of confidence by building their knowledge and skills.
The success of Village Malaria Cadres in accelerating case detection and treatment adherence relies heavily on active community participation. Shared awareness remains the ultimate key to freeing Jayapura Regency from malaria.
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