Contribution of Private Health Service Providers

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 120 views

Introduction

The elimination of malaria is a global commitment carried by the Indonesian government, with Aceh Besar Regency launching Regent Regulation No. 23/2013 to target malaria elimination by 2015. However, the role of private health service providers in supporting the achievement of this goal has not been fully identified. This study aims to explain and measure the contribution of private health service providers in the malaria elimination business in the area, including aspects of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and reporting.

Background

Malaria is a significant public health problem in Indonesia, with Aceh Besar Regency being one of the areas with a high prevalence of the disease. The Indonesian government has launched various initiatives to control and eliminate malaria, including the National Malaria Control Program. However, the role of private health service providers in supporting the achievement of this goal has not been fully identified.

Methodology

This study uses a latitude cut design with a simple random sampling method, which involves 153 private health care providers divided into six categories. The data used consists of primary and secondary data, which are then analyzed using the Chi-Square test and double logistics regression through the Epi Info application version 7.

Results

The results showed that there were several factors that influenced the role of private health service providers in the Malaria elimination program. Among them are educational background (p = 0.045), participation in malaria training (p = 0.004), job characteristics (p = 0.004), and the level of knowledge about malaria (p <0.001). Providers who have good knowledge about malaria show a significant effect, with Odds Ratio (OR) of 8.1 (95% CI 3.8-17.5). Meanwhile, those who take part in malaria training have a 2.7 times greater chance of being involved in the program (or 2.7; 95% CI 1,2-6.3).

Contribution of Private Health Service Providers

The involvement of private health service providers in malaria management also appears from their contribution to official reports reported. In 2013, the proportion of malaria cases suspected and confirmed by laboratories reached 13.5%, while 7.4% of cases were treated in accordance with the Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) protocol, and 5.6% of cases received to the government. In pharmacies and drug stores, an average of 4 people per day seek treatment for malaria, with chloroquine sales reaching an average of 38 tablets per month.

Discussion

It is essential to note that private health service providers have a significant role in handling malaria, especially in areas with low endemicity levels. However, this survey also shows that the practices applied by the private sector in Aceh Besar are still far from the diagnosis, treatment, and reporting standards set by the public sector. Therefore, it is necessary to form a formal cooperation network between the government and the private sector that can improve communication, coordination, and the knowledge and skills of health service providers. This step is very important to ensure the availability of tools and materials, as well as conduct effective guidance and supervision.

Conclusion

Thus, the role of private health service providers in the malaria elimination efforts in Aceh Besar Regency is crucial. Support for private providers and improving the quality of health services can be a key to achieving the objectives of malaria elimination more effectively and efficiently.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The government should establish a formal cooperation network with private health service providers to improve communication, coordination, and the knowledge and skills of health service providers.
The private sector should be encouraged to participate in malaria control and elimination efforts, including providing training and capacity-building programs for health service providers.
The government should provide support for private providers, including providing access to diagnostic tools, treatment protocols, and reporting systems.
The private sector should be encouraged to adopt and implement the diagnosis, treatment, and reporting standards set by the public sector.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The study only focused on private health service providers in Aceh Besar Regency, and may not be generalizable to other areas.
The study only collected data on a limited number of variables, and may not have captured the full range of factors influencing the role of private health service providers in malaria elimination.
The study relied on self-reported data from private health service providers, which may be subject to bias and error.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Examine the role of private health service providers in other areas of Indonesia, including areas with different levels of malaria endemicity.
Investigate the factors influencing the adoption and implementation of diagnosis, treatment, and reporting standards by private health service providers.
Evaluate the effectiveness of formal cooperation networks between the government and private sector in improving communication, coordination, and the knowledge and skills of health service providers.

References

World Health Organization. (2019). World Malaria Report 2019.
Indonesian Ministry of Health. (2019). National Malaria Control Program.
Aceh Besar Regency Government. (2013). Regent Regulation No. 23/2013 on Malaria Elimination.

Appendices

Table 1: Demographic characteristics of private health service providers.
Table 2: Factors influencing the role of private health service providers in malaria elimination.
Figure 1: Proportion of malaria cases suspected and confirmed by laboratories.
Figure 2: Proportion of cases treated in accordance with the Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) protocol.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Role of Private Health Service Providers in Achieving Malaria Elimination in Aceh Besar District

Q: What is the significance of private health service providers in malaria elimination efforts?

A: Private health service providers play a crucial role in malaria elimination efforts, especially in areas with low endemicity levels. They can contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, and reporting of malaria cases, and can also provide training and capacity-building programs for health service providers.

Q: What are the factors that influence the role of private health service providers in malaria elimination?

A: The factors that influence the role of private health service providers in malaria elimination include educational background, participation in malaria training, job characteristics, and the level of knowledge about malaria. Providers who have good knowledge about malaria show a significant effect, with Odds Ratio (OR) of 8.1 (95% CI 3.8-17.5). Meanwhile, those who take part in malaria training have a 2.7 times greater chance of being involved in the program (or 2.7; 95% CI 1,2-6.3).

Q: How can private health service providers contribute to malaria elimination efforts?

A: Private health service providers can contribute to malaria elimination efforts by providing training and capacity-building programs for health service providers, adopting and implementing diagnosis, treatment, and reporting standards set by the public sector, and participating in official reports and surveillance systems.

Q: What are the challenges faced by private health service providers in malaria elimination efforts?

A: The challenges faced by private health service providers in malaria elimination efforts include limited access to diagnostic tools, treatment protocols, and reporting systems, as well as limited knowledge and skills about malaria diagnosis, treatment, and reporting.

Q: How can the government support private health service providers in malaria elimination efforts?

A: The government can support private health service providers in malaria elimination efforts by providing access to diagnostic tools, treatment protocols, and reporting systems, as well as providing training and capacity-building programs for health service providers.

Q: What are the benefits of formal cooperation networks between the government and private sector in malaria elimination efforts?

A: The benefits of formal cooperation networks between the government and private sector in malaria elimination efforts include improved communication, coordination, and the knowledge and skills of health service providers, as well as increased access to diagnostic tools, treatment protocols, and reporting systems.

Q: How can private health service providers improve their knowledge and skills about malaria diagnosis, treatment, and reporting?

A: Private health service providers can improve their knowledge and skills about malaria diagnosis, treatment, and reporting by participating in training and capacity-building programs, adopting and implementing diagnosis, treatment, and reporting standards set by the public sector, and staying up-to-date with the latest research and guidelines on malaria diagnosis, treatment, and reporting.

Q: What are the future research directions in the role of private health service providers in malaria elimination efforts?

A: Future research should aim to examine the role of private health service providers in other areas of Indonesia, investigate the factors influencing the adoption and implementation of diagnosis, treatment, and reporting standards by private health service providers, and evaluate the effectiveness of formal cooperation networks between the government and private sector in improving communication, coordination, and the knowledge and skills of health service providers.

Q: What are the implications of this study for malaria elimination efforts in Aceh Besar District?

A: The findings of this study have significant implications for malaria elimination efforts in Aceh Besar District, highlighting the importance of private health service providers in malaria elimination efforts and the need for formal cooperation networks between the government and private sector to improve communication, coordination, and the knowledge and skills of health service providers.