Overview of the Malaria Surveillance System at the Sei Berombang Community Health Center, Labuhanbatu District

Abstract

Malaria continues to be a public health concern in several areas of Indonesia and requires a well-functioning surveillance system to enable early case detection and timely response, particularly at the primary health care level. Community health centers have a crucial role in implementing malaria surveillance as part of malaria control and elimination strategies. This study aimed to describe the implementation of the malaria surveillance system at the Sei Berombang Community Health Center in Labuhanbatu District. A qualitative descriptive design was applied, using primary data obtained from malaria surveillance officers selected purposively based on their involvement in surveillance activities. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews carried out online via WhatsApp calls using a semi-structured interview guide that explored surveillance inputs, processes, outputs, and implementation challenges. Data were analyzed descriptively through the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion formulation. The results indicated that malaria surveillance activities at the Sei Berombang Community Health Center were conducted through passive and active surveillance, case investigation, vector monitoring, cross-program and cross-sector collaboration, and routine reporting using the Malaria Surveillance Information System. Nevertheless, several obstacles were identified, including limited numbers and capacity of surveillance personnel, absence of specific malaria surveillance training, high workload, and limited analysis and utilization of surveillance data at the health center level. Surveillance data were primarily used for reporting and had not been optimally utilized to support local planning and evaluation of malaria control efforts. In conclusion, improving human resource capacity and strengthening the use of surveillance data are necessary to enhance the effectiveness of malaria surveillance and support sustainable malaria control at the Sei Berombang Community Health Center.