Minister of Social Affairs Intensifies Free Cataract Surgery at NTT - Timor Leste Border
BELU
REGENCY (18 December 2023) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri
Rismaharini is intensifying free cataract surgery activities throughout
Indonesia. In the last month, Ministry
of Social Affairs' free cataract surgery was held in Papua, South Kalimantan,
South Sumatra, West Nusa Tenggara and it was the turn of residents on the
border of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Timor Leste.
This
free cataract surgery in NTT was held because of the high number of cataract
cases in the province.
Ministry
of Social Affairs' free cataract surgery was held at the Marianum Catholic
Hospital (RSKM) Halilulik in Atambua, Belu Regency, while patients came from
South Central Timor Regency, North Timor Regency, Malaka Regency and Alor
Regency.
Minister
of Social Affairs said the cataract surgery in Atambua was part of the
commemoration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (HDI) and
National Social Solidarity Day (HKSN).
In the border area, Minister of Social Affairs chose RSKM in Halilulik
because its location is in the middle of the Belu Regency area.
"You
have to look for a place in the middle because if it's too far, it's a shame
because on average cataract patients are elderly, so that's why we looked for a
place in the middle that can be easily accessed by others, we found this
hospital," said Minister of Social
Affairs Tri Rismaharini Monday (18/12) afternoon while witnessing the
implementation of Ministry of Social Affairs' free cataract surgery at the
Marianum Catholic Hospital (RSKM) Halilulik in Atambua, Belu Regency.
In
carrying out this free cataract surgery, Ministry of Social Affairs is
collaborating with RSKM Halilulik, Himpunan Bersatu Teguh and ERHA Clinic.
A
total of 780 people from various regions in NTT registered to undergo cataract
surgery. In the initial stage, as of
Sunday, 116 people had passed the screening.
This number will continue to increase because registration and screening
are still open until Wednesday (20/12).
Apart
from carrying out free cataract surgery, Ministry of Social Affairs also
facilitates pterygium surgery, an eye disease characterized by the growth of a
membrane on the white part of the eyeball that can reach the cornea. A total of 21 patients have received
surgery. Ministry of Social Affairs is
targeting a quota of 350 cataract surgery patients and 50 pterygium surgery
patients.
Because
patients come from various regions, for people from outside Atambua, Ministry
of Social Affairs has prepared accommodation in the Halilulik Spiritu Santis
Spiritu (SSpS) Monastery hall and at the Halilulik Holy Spirit Parish Catholic
Church.