Batulicin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Regent of Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan Province, Andi Rudi Latif has received malaria elimination certificate from Ministry of Health at the 9th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination in Badung, Bali, Tuesday (June 17, 2025).
"Thank you for the trust given," said Regent Andi, when confirmed in Batulicin, Tanah Bumbu District capital, Wednesday.
He stated the achievement was the result of collaboration of all parties, from health personnel, village government, to active partisipation of community to protect the environment to be free from mosquito nest.
Andi reasserted his commitment to maintain the status of malaria elimination by educatiing, monitoring, and quick intervening in the field.
"This certificate is a motivation for us to stay vigilant and consistent in disease preventing efforts," Andi said.
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This award, he continued, is proof Tanah Bumbu's success in controlling and reducing malaria to achieve the elimination standard according to the national target.
Meanwhile, Special Advisor of the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) former sixth President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) said that the Asia Pacific region recorded 4.8 million cases of malaria.
As many as 99.5 percent of the cases concentrated in eight countries, namely Afganistan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands.
Of the total cases of malaria in Asia Pacific, Indonesia contributes about 12 percent.
"We are facing a funding gap of 4.3 billion US dollars. In Asia Pacific alone, we need an additional of 478.1 million US dollars to stay on the right path of elimination," SBY pointed out.
He said the challanges faces are not only in fund, but also related to cross-country coordination and the level of community participation.
However, SBY continued, he believes under the leadership of President Prabowo and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia will be able to complete the mission to eliminate malaria by 2030.
The 9th APLMA activity was attended by state leaders, high-ranking officials and development parter intitutions from Asia Pacific region who were concern about health issues, especially malaria elimination.
The forum carried the theme "Unity in Action, Toward Zero Malaria" took place in Bali on June 16-17, 2025.
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