Minister Risma's Cataract Surgery Restores Productivity for Banten's Elderly

BANTEN (14 June 2024) - Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini oversaw free cataract surgery at the Saruni Eye Clinic in Pandeglang Regency. Minister Risma underlined that cataracts should not be underestimated because they have a substantial influence on community productivity.  

"If left untreated, cataracts can result in blindness. Once someone becomes blind, they become less productive," explained Minister Tri Rismaharini in Pandeglang Regency on Friday afternoon (June 14).

The free cataract surgery is part of the Ministry of Social Affairs' social outreach event held in Banten Province. A total of 355 people registered for cataract surgery, but after screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and biometrics, only 163 people qualified.

Sirin, a 67-year-old cataract patient from Serang Regency, thanked Minister Risma. Sirin has had cataracts in both eyes for three years. Because he could not see clearly, he was unable to conduct his activities independently and needed the assistance of his child. "I used to be able to farm, but now I can't," Sirin explained. Sirin believes that the cataract procedure would restore his vision. He also thanked Minister Risma for the opportunity to receive free cataract surgery.

The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) has provided free cataract surgeries since 2022. As many as 9,430 people have received free cataract surgeries organized by MoSA in various regions such as East Java, Papua, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, North Aceh, and South Kalimantan. Specifically, 724 people underwent cataract surgery in 2022, 6,012 people in 2023, and 2,694 people in 2024.

In the cataract surgery event in Banten, the Ministry of Social Affairs collaborated with the Saruni Eye Clinic, the Indonesian Ophthalmologist Association (Perdami) Banten, the Pandeglang Regency Health Office, and the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) of Banten.