UGM, Monash University Australia, and the Tahija Foundation have collaborated to develop a technology implementation model that can be replicated in Sleman and Bantul. The implementation model is to apply Wolbachia mosquito technology to reduce the spread of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF).
The efficacy of Wolbachia in reducing 77 percent of DHF cases in Yogyakarta proves the success of this program by the World Mosquito Program (WMP) Yogyakarta.
“The pandemic that causes problems has strengthened the collaboration between universities, government, industry, and philanthropy for the better. Hopefully, there will be more support from various parties for research aimed to solve real problems existing in the community like this,” said UGM Chancellor Prof. Panut Mulyono in his online speech.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Tahija Foundation, Trihadi Saptoadi, said that WMP Yogyakarta’s work in conducting this research was not only to demonstrate competence, expertise, and knowledge. It also shows discipline, hard work, loyalty, in building a professional attitude in research.
“The agreement to sign this cooperation is a new challenge for us. We will continue to collaborate for the Sleman and Bantul regions. Even though it has been successful for 10 years in Yogyakarta, it does not mean that implementing it in a new district and collaborating with new partners in the field is easy. The community should fully accept this project,” he said.
On the next occasion, WMP Yogyakarta Project Leader, Prof. Adi Utarini explained that this cooperation agreement marked the beginning of a new chapter. By implementing this technology in Sleman and Bantul, the goal is to reduce the DHF rate at the provincial level.
“Even though several studies prove the success of this technology, there are challenges. For this reason, it is necessary to support local policies and wisdom. Therefore, we prepare and conduct training for the transfer of knowledge and skills. This is so that our partners, the Sleman Regency Government through the Health Office, can carry out the process of socializing and implementing the program in the community,” said the professor of FKKMK UGM.
The signing of this cooperation agreement held in early March was part of a series of events to hand over the Adhikara Award in the context of Lustrum XV FKKMK UGM Yogyakarta, as well as the presentation of the MURI Award-Indonesian World Record Museum.
