Launching a Comprehensive Malaria Eradication Operation in East Sumba.
Combating Malaria: Fair Future Foundation, Kawan Baik Indonesia, and Sumba Volunteers Association Unite in a Transformative Initiative
Malaria, an endemic disease plaguing the region, continues to pose a significant health threat in East Sumba, Indonesia. As previously announced, Fair Future Foundation, Kawan Baik Indonesia and Sumba Volunteers Association have joined forces to launch a global malaria eradication operation in a groundbreaking effort to address this pervasive challenge. With the participation of more than a hundred dedicated volunteers, including doctors, laboratory technicians, nurses and health professionals, this initiative is expected to have a profound impact in the fight against malaria, aiming to reach the “Zero Malaria” goal soon.
Unity Across Regions
What sets this operation apart is the exemplary involvement of volunteers hailing from different regions of Indonesia. Their collective commitment to addressing the malaria crisis in East Sumba is both commendable and inspiring. These passionate individuals have come together, bringing their expertise and unwavering dedication to combat this debilitating disease.
Convergence of Volunteers
It’s important to acknowledge that without the help of volunteers, our program wouldn’t be possible. We’re thrilled to share that we received almost 200 applications from all over Indonesia, and after careful consideration, we’ve selected 80 individuals to participate in this significant social and medical initiative. Some of these individuals will be travelling long distances to join us.
You can access a press release by Kawan Baik Indonesia regarding this operation. It was released a few days ago and is available for download and reading.
Friday, July 30, 2023, is a significant day for us. Our local Sumba volunteers will convene at our medical and social base camp, while others from different parts of Indonesia will join us virtually using Google Meet. This gathering is crucial to the success of our operation, as it will allow us to share knowledge, ideas, and strategies and promote community and teamwork.
Towards “Zero Malaria”
The primary objective of this operation is to achieve “Zero Malaria” in one of the most heavily affected regions worldwide. East Sumba’s endemic status necessitates an urgent and coordinated response. The combined efforts of the Fair Future Foundation, Kawan Baik Indonesia, and Sumba Volunteers Association aim to implement a multi-faceted approach encompassing prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Through distributing and promoting insecticide-treated bed nets, eliminating mosquito breeding sites, and early diagnosis and treatment interventions, the operation seeks to significantly reduce malaria transmission and improve the overall health outcomes of the local population.
Conclusion
Launching this comprehensive malaria eradication operation in East Sumba marks a moment of collective determination and hope. With the combined expertise and commitment of over a hundred volunteers from diverse backgrounds, Fair Future Foundation, Kawan Baik Indonesia, and Sumba Volunteers Association are poised to make a lasting impact in the fight against malaria. By striving for “Zero Malaria” and improving the health outcomes of the affected communities, this collaborative effort sets a powerful example for addressing public health challenges and fostering positive change.
Thank you very much for your valuable contribution to this crucial malaria control program in one of the regions severely affected by this disease.
Alexandre Wettstein from the Foundation’s Medico-Social Camp in East Sumba, Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu, on June 30th 2023.
UPDATE: The initial Truck of Life successfully transported more than a ton of medical equipment to East Sumba Base Camp on June 27, enduring a challenging four-day journey across eastern Indonesia. Despite the overwhelming heat and an overloaded vehicle, Alex the driver, persevered through physically demanding and difficult driving conditions. Another truck, carrying several additional tons of supplies, is scheduled to depart from Denpasar in the coming days to continue providing much-needed aid.
The participation of more than 80 individuals from different regions of Indonesia in the fight against malaria is a remarkable and awe-inspiring collective effort. Our team will comprise over 150 individuals, all working tirelessly towards the betterment of countless families in the East Sumba region.
Malaria – Images taken by the Foundation socio-medical teams on the field
Malaria remains one of the most devastating diseases affecting East Indonesia, with thousands of deaths occurring annually and implications for families, communities, and economies.
As we are doing here in Sumba Timur, improving access to clean water and healthy sanitation facilities helps significantly reduce the spread of malaria by limiting the habitats of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes need water to breed; if there is no standing water, if the water stays cool, stays out of the light and circulates, they cannot reproduce. In addition, adequate sanitation facilities reduce individuals’ exposure to disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Clean water, such as #waterconnections projects, actively participates in preventing the complications of malaria. People with malaria need to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, which can be difficult in areas where access to clean water is limited, as is the case in the regions where we are right now with the @fairfuturefoundation and @kawanbaikindonesia teams.
In short, improving access to sanitation facilities and clean or safe water is, for all of us here -in the context of our medical care programs- an essential element in the fight against malaria. It will help reduce the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes, prevent complications and improve the recovery of people with malaria. We fight the spread of #malaria by understanding how it is transmitted, providing primary medical care and providing access to clean, uncontaminated water sources. We desperately need antimalarial drugs and rapid tests to detect the disease. You can help us by donating via the foundation’s website. @unicef and @unicefindonesia? Are you ready to fight this epidemic with us? We are onsite, and we need you.
