Assistance from MoSA for Person with Mental Disability who Burned His Own House

BANYUWANGI (September 12, 2022) - The man with the initials MS (38) became viral on social media when he burned down his own house when his illness recurred. The house was located in the middle of a banana plantation owned by his parents in Kabatmatren Hamlet, Wringinputih Village, Muncar District, Banyuwangi.

He suffered from mental disorders since the age of 15 years. The incident started at midnight when he started to burn the mattress, then the fire grew and devoured the whole house, starting with a motorbike, mattress, cupboard, clothes, and the wood in the upper part of the house, bedroom, and living room.

The head of Mahatmiya Center Bali, Sri Wibowo, directed the Social Counselor to conduct an in-depth assessment of MS. "Perform a comprehensive assessment of MS, facilitate Adminduk (People’s Administration), and if possible direct it to entrepreneurship, as well as coordinate with the local Puskesmas (public health center) regarding its treatment," he said.

The Ministry of Social Affairs through "Mahatmiya" Center Case Response Team along with Sakti Peksos (Social Worker Service Unit) and Banyuwangi Regency Social Office immediately went to MS' residence, accompanied by Wringinputih Village officials. When visited, MS' condition was stable after receiving treatment from the local Puskesmas.

He could communicate with other people. Like when explaining the beginning of the disaster. "I have run out of my medicine, that’s why I am so stressed, then I just want to burn the mattress", said MS.

It was known that the drugs he was taking had run out before the incident occurred. This was confirmed by one of his relatives.

Five years ago, MS was treated for 10 days at Licin Public Health Center for mental disorders. He only went to the local health center for treatment and got medicine to take every day.

Currently, he was not working, without any meaningful activity that sustained his life. The team directed him to become an entrepreneur and provided him with entrepreneurship assistance, but he refused at this time. " Please, do it tomorrow, I'll let you go," he said.

MS already had an ID card and BPJS but was burned when the accident occurred. The team coordinated with the Social Office and village officials to re-check the administration.