Papua faces unique challenges that requires a multidisciplinary approach to address persistent infectious disease transmission. These infectious diseases, such as malaria, dengue, lymphatic filariasis, tuberculosis, sexual transmitted diseases, intestinal nematode infections, leprosy, and respiratory infections, caused disproportionately high rates of morbidity and mortality and continue to remain a major threat on the well-being of its population. Local inhabitants always grapple with geographical remoteness, limited access to health services, limited infrastructure, resources and trained health personnel, growing resistance to drugs and insecticides, delays in diagnosis and treatment, inadequate surveillance systems, diverse sociocultural dynamics and low community engagement. Vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women, mobile and migrant population, indigenous tribal communities and military personnel, bear the greatest burden, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and malaria that undermines long-term regional development.
To effectively combat infectious malaria in Papua, it is crucial to develop a comprehensive understanding of how the malaria affects inhabitants of the island. This necessitates the adoption of a social, culture and gender lens that specifically focuses on high-risk vulnerable groups. Addressing these issues requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates diverse fields of expertise, innovative methodologies, and meaningful policy engagement.