THEMP Foundation

 

Stakeholders Meeting on EFFORT and SCOPE Studies: Advancing the Strategy for Radical Cure of Malaria in Indonesia

On May 27, 2025, THEMP Foundation attend a Stakeholders Meeting at Wyndham Casablanca Jakarta to share important findings from two key studies — EFFORT and SCOPE — that support the development of improved strategies for the radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria in Indonesia.

The meeting aimed to update the Ministry of Health and stakeholders on the final results of the EFFORT Study and the first and second quarter observations from the ongoing SCOPE Study, which is evaluating the feasibility of implementing a high-dose, short-course primaquine regimen following G6PD testing. In addition, the meeting served as a platform to begin early discussions on the possible scale-up of radical cure implementation across Indonesia. Topics discussed included the necessary operational considerations, procurement timelines, cost and economic analysis, and preparation for review by the National Malaria Technical Working Group.

Participants in the meeting included representatives from the Ministry of Health, as well as delegates from various regional health offices: the Head of Health Office of Mimika District, North Sumatra Provincial Health Office, Batu Bara District Health Office, Lampung Provincial Health Office, and Pesawaran District Health Office. Also in attendance were members of the study teams from other SCOPE sites and partners from Menzies School of Health Research.

One of the keynote speakers, Prof. dr. Ayodhia Pitaloka Pasaribu, M.Ked(Ped), Sp.A(K), Ph.D(CTM) — Chair of THEMP Foundation — emphasized the importance of locally generated evidence and strong multi-sector collaboration in guiding national strategies for malaria elimination. She highlighted the role of innovative, safe, and patient-centered treatment approaches to overcome the persistent challenges of P. vivax malaria.

 

This meeting marks an important step toward shaping a more effective and scalable national policy for radical cure, reinforcing THEMP Foundation’s commitment to supporting sustainable, evidence-based malaria control solutions.