Papua Health Office focuses on early malaria detection through 'Token' Programme
Jayapura (ANTARA) - The Papua Provincial Government, through the local Health Office, is currently focusing its malaria control efforts on strengthening early detection via the ‘Find, Treat, and Control Risk Factors’ (Token) Programme.
The Acting Head of the Papua Provincial Health Office, Beeri Wopari, stated in Jaypend in Jayapura on Wednesday that the Token Programme is one of the regional government’s primary strategies to suppress malaria transmission rates in Papua.
“The approach used in the Token programme emphasises efforts to find cases as early as possible and ensure that sufferers receive immediate treatment,” he said.
According to Beeri, the implementation of the Token programme is carried out through several field health interventions, such as indoor residual spraying, mass blood surveys, increasing the capacity of laboratory personnel, and providing malaria medication in healthcare facilities.
“In addition, we are also strengthening environmental monitoring by targeting points that have the potential to become breeding grounds for malaria mosquitoes,” he added.
He explained that everything from stagnant water to high-risk areas will be cleaned periodically to break the disease transmission cycle.
“Malaria control cannot be carried out by the health sector alone; it requires cross-sector involvement, including local governments, village officials, and the active participation of the community,” he continued.
He added that with the strengthening of the Token Programme, the authorities hope that malaria elimination efforts can proceed more effectively, especially in endemic regions that remain a major challenge in managing this vector-borne disease.
“We, the local government, also urge the community to actively maintain environmental cleanliness and immediately visit healthcare facilities if they experience fever symptoms indicative of malaria, in order to prevent complications and further transmission,” he concluded.