Fair Future’s new Kawan Against Malaria app is transforming the battle against malaria in East Sumba. It integrates health surveys, community education initiatives, and the collection of local data to create a powerful tool in this critical fight.

Fair Future launches the Kawan Against Malaria app, empowering local communities to fight malaria.

Fair Future and Kawan Baik Indonesia have recently launched an innovative digital tool named “Kawan Against Malaria,” developed after months of diligent work. This essential tool is now being used in an extensive-scale study of malaria in Umalulu, East Sumba. The region is known for its high malaria prevalence, making this application instrumental in tackling the disease’s root causes and effects within these vulnerable communities.

As the fourth addition to Fair Future’s digital arsenal, following the deployment of Zero Malaria, Kawan Sehat, and Solar Buddy Tracker, Kawan Against Malaria represents a significant advancement in enabling rural inhabitants to understand infectious diseases. This tool includes 65 meticulously crafted questions within three vital domains:

1. Family Demographics: This section collects information about social structures and potential vulnerabilities that can impact health outcomes.
2. Housing and Environment: Given that environmental factors are crucial in malaria transmission, this domain examines conditions that might favour mosquito breeding.
3. Disease Knowledge: This segment assesses the community’s awareness and understanding of malaria, including how they recognise symptoms and respond to the disease.

This application aims to provide a comprehensive view through the lens of social determinants of health. By reflecting a physician’s diagnostic approach, it seeks to establish tailored and precise malaria prevention strategies. Starting May 55th, seven trained health agents and local fieldworkers will conduct interviews with approximately 700 individuals across 400 households, covering the entire targeted area. The resulting data promises detailed insights into the demographic, infrastructural, social, and educational dynamics impacting malaria transmission rates.

While serving as a survey tool, Kawan Against Malaria also acts as a catalyst for education, infrastructure improvements, and behavioural changes at the community level, effectively addressing malaria’s origins. This approach emphasises the importance of initiating efforts in focused areas, such as Umalulu, as understanding local challenges is crucial for life-saving interventions.

Fair Future and Kawan Baik Indonesia’s core mission is evident: to develop tangible solutions based on empirical data and real human interaction that others might overlook. If you’re interested in learning more, we are prepared to provide access to the complete set of 65 questions derived from extensive field experiences. The essence of future malaria prevention is undoubtedly rooted in local knowledge and involves those at the most significant risk. Kawan Agai Malaria is a groundbreaking tool in this vital endeavour.

Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – April 29th, 2025

• Last Mile Health: Like Fair Future, they train and empower local health workers to serve remote communities through direct medical action.
• Malaria Consortium: Specialises in malaria control and prevention programs, similar to Fair Future’s new localised malaria studies.
• PATH: Works to accelerate health equity through innovation, with initiatives comparable to Fair Future’s malaria research tools.
• Rotary International: Rotary supports initiatives improving public health, including malaria prevention efforts like those of Fair Future.
• Malaria No More: Focuses on ending malaria through advocacy and solutions that parallel Fair Future’s malaria intervention efforts.
• The Global Fund: Funds programs fighting infectious diseases, resonating with Fair Future’s field missions.