The Role of Missionaries from the Nederlandsche Zendingsvereeniging (NZV) in the Development of Public Health in Cirebon Residency 1864–1899

In the second half of the 19th century, there was an outbreak of Malaria and Cholera in the Nederlandsch Indie region, including the Cirebon Residency. As a result, during epidemics, people died like rats. This was the situation faced by NZV missionaries. How did the NZV missionaries respond to this problem? By using the historical method, I found several facts that the NZV missionaries, especially Verhoeven, had contributed greatly to developing public health in the Cirebon Residency. Verhoeven through medical services was also able to arouse the philanthropic spirit of European entrepreneurs to establish an auxiliary hospital in Cideres and support monthly operational costs so that health services were provided free of charge.