On June 25, 2010, the Mayor of Makassar, Ir. H. Ilham Arief Siradjuddin  officially opened CHF’s second Healthy Market in Panakkukang Traditional Wet Market, Makassar which is the second and final pilot under  the Healthy Market Program funded by the Australian Government (AUSAID) in collaboration with Government of Makassar City (Pemkot Makassar).

The opening ceremony took place in front of the market & was attended by Dr, Idris Patarai, Director of City Planning Commission, Drs. Djamaludin Yunus MM. Director of Market Authority (PD Pasar),  Program Director of CHF International Makassar, Charles Kushner, First Secretary - HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases Program of AusAID, Gerard Cheong, and heads of other stakeholder agencies in Makassar Municipality.

Mr. Charles Kushner, Program Director, presenting ownership certificate to Director of PD Pasar, Mr. Jamaluddin

In his Opening Speech, Director of PD Pasar, Djamaluddin Yunus, reported that PD Pasar and CHF International had been working together for two years resulting in of both physical and non physical improvements within the market communities. Physical development as evidenced by two new healthy market buildings in Sambung Jawa and Panakkukang & smaller infrastructure interventions in five other markets and non physical development through an extended period of trainings intended to raise awareness of methods & best practices to increase the level of bio-security in the markets.

Market managers and staff have also benefited by CHF’s capacity building programs & trainings. “We wish to thank CHF and AusAID for their work in improving the market  bio-security by building healthy markets and other valuable contributions to Makassar in our attempt to prevent the transmission of diseases including Avian Influenza”, Djamaluddin said.

Program Director of CHF, Charles Kushner, indicated in his speech that although the buildings had been completed & trainings given, there was urgent need for the city administration to draft the new rules & regulations for their markets including a viable enforcement component.. Behavior change within the community will not happen in a short period of time & strict rules should be enforced to ensure the market community adhers to the best practices for high levels of bio security as outlined in the trainings. Left on their own devices, without rules & sanctions, it is doubtful the markets will stay clean & healthy.

Charles Kushner, Program Director, presenting symbolic cleaning equipment to Djamaluddin, Director of PD Pasar

Gerard Cheong from AUSAID said in his speech that improved bio-security in the market has  broad positive affects within the community. “If the vendors can maintain bio-security, there will be many people receiving benefits including children who consume healthy chicken and will grow healthy and smart”.

Gerard Cheong from AusAID, congratulating Makassar Mayor, Ilham Arief Siradjuddin

The last remark was delivered by Mayor of Makassar, Ilham Arief Siradjuddin, stating his gratitude to AusAID and CHF for their hard work in implementing the  Healthy Market Program by providing two pilot healthy market buildings, smaller infrastructure improvements in five markets as well as trainings for vendors and market staff in Makassar. He reminded everyone that traditional markets will be left by the wayside in the future unless they can adapt & become clean healthy areas of commerce .Otherwise they will be overtaken by clean modern super markets. Upon the completion of his speech, the Mayor signed the marble plaque and cut the ribbon to officially inaugurate the new building. Accompanied by AusAID and CHF, the Mayor toured the market facilities inspecting the display tables ,slaughtering facilities and live birds holding area.

New chicken market in operation

Chicken Vendors cleaning new steel cages after a day use

Housewives shopping the new vegetable market

Beautiful fresh Indonesian vegetables