The ministry's Director of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Ina Agustina Isturini, reported a rise in malaria cases during an online media gathering for World Malaria Day 2025 here on Friday.
Cases climbed to 543,965 in 2024 from around 418 thousand in 2023 and 440 thousand in 2022.
She pointed out that of the approximately 543 thousand cases detected, around 93 percent, or 498 thousand, were concentrated in Papua.
She noted that while the number of detected cases increased, the figure is still far below WHO's estimate of 1.1 million cases.
"However, it reflects our commitment to continuing to improve case finding," she remarked.
Isturini said that as of 2024, some 401 cities and districts have eliminated malaria, and five provinces, namely Bali, Jakarta, Banten, West Java, and East Java, have been free of malaria.
She remarked that 90 percent of Indonesians already live in malaria-free areas, though 60 low-endemic areas, 23 moderate-endemic cities and districts, and 30 high-endemic areas persist.
To address this, the ministry is making several efforts, including enhancing detection, prevention, and response measures; encouraging promotive and preventive efforts by promoting environmental cleanliness; strengthening surveillance and treatment systems; and fostering collaboration with the private and public sectors in prevention efforts.
She emphasized the government's initiatives, including bolstering commitment and financing, accelerating the reduction of cases in Papua, increasing the target for case detection, strengthening the role of the community, and implementing forest-focused intervention packages for workers working in the forest.
Translator: Mecca Yumna, Raka Adji
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
