The East Sumba Malaria Prevention Project was a comprehensive, community-based initiative implemented in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, to reduce malaria transmission through education, vector control, and health system strengthening. Implemented by Kawan Baik Indonesia Foundation in collaboration with Fair Future Foundation, Rotary Club of Mandurah, Rotary Club of West Perth, and Malaria Partners International, the project worked closely with the East Sumba District Health Office and Melolo Community Health Center.
Project Need & Rationale
Malaria remains a persistent public health challenge in East Sumba. Between January and August 2025, the East Sumba District Health Office recorded 266 malaria cases, with Plasmodium falciparum accounting for the majority of infections. Geographic isolation, limited access to health services, and environmental conditions that support mosquito breeding continue to place rural communities at elevated risk.
In response, the East Sumba Regency Government issued Regent’s Instruction No. 320 of 2025, calling for accelerated malaria elimination through active case detection, standardized treatment, vector control, and community education. The East Sumba Malaria Prevention Project was designed to support this mandate by strengthening community-level prevention, improving diagnostic capacity within health facilities, and reducing transmission risk in vulnerable areas.
Project Objectives
The project aimed to contribute to malaria elimination efforts in East Sumba by strengthening community resilience, improving health worker capacity, and reducing mosquito exposure in high-risk settings. Objectives included increasing community knowledge of malaria prevention and symptoms, enhancing laboratory diagnostic accuracy, expanding protection through insecticide-treated nets, and reducing transmission risk through targeted indoor residual spraying.
Implementation - Approach & Activities
Over the course of the implementation period, the project combined malaria education, distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and technical training for laboratory analysts. Activities were concentrated in Umalulu Village and Waingapu City, with a focus on high-risk hamlets and households identified through local health data. The approach emphasized culturally adapted education, local leadership engagement, and coordination across health facilities and government partners. Project activities included:
Community Education and Awareness
Malaria education activities were conducted in four hamlets of Umalulu Village: Marada, Pahomba, Waimarang, and Praiwangga. Education sessions used participatory methods, including drama performances, group discussions, quizzes, and bilingual messaging in Bahasa Indonesia and the local Sumbanese language. In total, 302 residents participated, representing approximately 70 percent of the target population.
Public awareness was further strengthened through the installation of 20 malaria education billboards and the distribution of 270 posters in high-traffic public locations, health centers, markets, and village gathering points.
Insecticide-Treated Bed Net (ITN) Distribution
Based on early 2025 household data, 146 sleeping groups in Umalulu Village were identified as lacking mosquito net protection.
The project distributed insecticide-treated nets to all identified sleeping groups, accompanied by education on correct use, care, and repair. Distribution took place alongside community education activities.
Households received education on correct net use and care, supported by hands-on demonstrations, educational stickers, and small sewing kits to encourage repair and sustained use.
Health Worker Capacity Building
To strengthen malaria diagnosis, the project conducted microscope maintenance training and malaria slide panel testing for 28 laboratory analysts from health facilities across East Sumba.
Training focused on basic microscope maintenance and quality assurance in malaria microscopy, combining hands-on maintenance exercises with standardized slide panel testing to assess diagnostic accuracy and species identification.
Activities were facilitated by WHO-certified mentors and coordinated with the district health office to support consistent diagnostic standards across facilities.
Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS)
Indoor residual spraying was conducted in 17 high-risk households in Laitipi Hamlet, following a mosquito larval survey by the community health center, that identified elevated transmission risk linked to local environmental condition. Approximately 3,200 square meters of interior wall surfaces were
were treated with residual insecticide, protecting an estimated 85 residents. IRS activities were carried out by trained local teams following standard operating procedures, with household heads briefed on safety measures and re-entry timing.
Project Outcomes
Quantitative Results
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Direct beneficiaries: 302 individuals reached through community education
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Bed nets distributed: 146 sleeping groups protected
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IRS coverage: 17 households sprayed in high-risk areas
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Laboratory capacity: 28 analysts trained and assessed
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Campaign reach: 20 billboards and 270 posters installed and distributed
Qualitative Outcomes
Community members demonstrated improved understanding of malaria symptoms and prevention practices, with increased consistency in bed net use observed across all hamlets. Local initiatives emerged, including community-led health patrol concepts and regular group discussions on malaria prevention. Collaboration between village leadership, health centers, and district authorities was strengthened, reinforcing a coordinated model for community-based malaria control.
Monitoring, Challenges, and Sustainability
Monitoring was conducted through attendance records, distribution forms, IRS logs, field observations, and laboratory assessment results. While challenges included geographic dispersion, language barriers, limited facilities, and transportation constraints for equipment, adaptive strategies such as decentralized education sessions, bilingual messaging, and participatory methods proved effective.
To sustain impact, Melolo Health Center will continue post-project monitoring, supervision of malaria cadres, and diagnostic quality assurance. Village leadership committed to integrating malaria prevention into routine community activities, while refresher trainings and ongoing coordination with district health authorities will support long-term malaria control efforts.