Controlling malaria among Mobile Migrant Populations (MMP) presents a unique challenge in Indonesia's malaria elimination roadmap. Workers in the forestry, mining, and plantation sectors are often exposed to high transmission risks in deep forest areas that are difficult to reach with routine health services. Consequently, specific interventions through the "Forest Package" are essential to ensure health protection reaches those working in high-endemic territories.

Accurate data-driven planning is vital to ensure that logistics distribution and health services are delivered precisely. By establishing clear intervention loci (locations), the government can allocate resources efficiently to suppress malaria cases that frequently arise from forest-based activities.

As part of this strategic step, the Directorate General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Ministry of Health RI organised a finalisation meeting for forest package malaria intervention loci on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, at the Adhyatma Building, Jakarta. The meeting involved programme managers from various priority provinces and technical experts. During the planning process, Iqbal Elyazar, Ph.D. attended as a malaria expert to provide technical input, particularly regarding geospatial analysis for determining priority intervention areas.

The meeting's primary agenda included the establishment of 2026 intervention loci, readiness presentations from key provinces, and the validation of migrant population data to ensure maximum service coverage. Additionally, the discussions covered the preparation of health packages and the strengthening of cross-sectoral coordination to facilitate access for health officers in forestry and mining areas.

This meeting serves as a crucial momentum to align the efforts of central and regional governments in tackling malaria transmission in difficult terrains. The active participation of stakeholders and experts such as Iqbal Elyazar ensures that the strategy is built upon robust field evidence and accurate spatial analysis. By protecting high-risk migrant populations, Indonesia moves closer to achieving its goal of a malaria-free nation across all corners of the country.

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