Strengthening Malaria Diagnostics in East Sumba: Training All Laboratory Analysts
Two days of microscopy training for all regional analysts
Accurate malaria diagnosis saves lives. In East Sumba, where malaria remains endemic, this responsibility lies with laboratory analysts working in hospitals and community health centres. Yet until now, many of them have received only minimal training, often on the job, with limited access to refresher courses or technical mentoring.
In September 2025, Fair Future Foundation, as part of the East Sumba Malaria Prevention Project 2025, organised an intensive two-day training programme for all 28 laboratory analysts in the region, representing 100% of the diagnostic workforce of East Sumba. These men and women are the frontline of detection. Without their skills, malaria cannot be confirmed, and patients remain untreated, leading to dangerous delays and misleading statistics.
The training, led by two WHO-certified mentors who travelled from Kupang, focused on enhancing expertise in slide reading, microscopy, and equipment maintenance. Each participant analysed over one hundred blood smears, including complex positive and negative cases, with built-in diagnostic “traps” to assess accuracy. The sessions revealed both strong motivation and notable gaps: while most analysts could identify straightforward infections, many struggled with subtle or mixed cases, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing, structured training.
Every participant received a certificate, but more importantly, they departed with renewed confidence and sharpened skills. The sessions also exposed the physical challenges of this work: long hours under the microscope can cause fatigue, nausea, and reduced concentration; conditions that further emphasise the need for professional refreshers and suitable working environments.
This training demonstrated that two days, although valuable, are insufficient. To attain reliable, high-quality malaria diagnosis, a five-day programme with follow-up refreshers every six months is necessary. Sustained investment is essential because missed diagnoses mean untreated infections, continued transmission, and artificially low case figures.
For over 16 years, Fair Future Foundation has combined Swiss medical expertise with local partnerships to address such systemic gaps. This training was a success, but also a reminder: malaria elimination depends on equipping those who look through the lenses of microscopes. Without them, no strategy can succeed.
We cordially invite all captivated by this story to explore our photo gallery, witness this extraordinary effort, and further engage with our mission through our Instagram account.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – September 30th, 2025
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