Ministry of Social Affairs Provides Support for Children with Multiple Disabilities in Bekasi

BEKASI (October 5, 2020) - Thursday night (01/10), the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation received a public complaint report regarding children with multiple disabilities in the Bekasi Regency area, West Java. "Z" is a 5-year-old boy who has difficulty in fulfilling nutrition, as well as maintenance of hearing and vision aids. The father was originally a factory worker, currently having to be laid off since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in Indonesia.

Armed with this report, the Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat, gave directions that this case should be immediately handled by the Directorate of Child Social Rehabilitation and the "Handayani" Children's Center. "Please do a family search, determine what the child's needs are. Do an assessment and immediately help in the best interests of the child," said Harry

Next, the "Handayani" Children's Center Social Worker visited the child's residence to conduct an assessment. Accompanied by the head of the RT, Faturohman met with "Z", his father "R", and his mother "N".

Based on the results of the assessment, it is known that "Z" was born normally with a weight of 2.5-grams and a body length of 50 cm. "Z" was born when she was 8 months pregnant. So "Z" received some postnatal care and then "Z" was diagnosed. Doctors have congenital rubella disease which is hampering their growth and development.

Currently, at the age of 5 years, "Z" only weighs 14 kg. "Z" also has visual and hearing impairments. Plus "Z" also has digestive problems where "Z" can only digest soft foods.

When he was 2.5 years old, the Holy Buddha Foundation raised funds through kitabisa.com so that "Z" got a hearing aid with a cochlear implant process to help his hearing. Meanwhile, for his eyesight, "Z" was assisted through a Single Optical Donation and has undergone cataract surgery and was given the aid of glasses.

Unfortunately, all the assistance that has been given has not been able to be utilized optimally by "Z". There are several routine treatments and therapies that must be carried out by "Z" but are constrained by economic conditions. For the use of hearing aids, "Z" must routinely carry out auditory-visual therapy which costs money both for the implementation of the therapy and for transportation. In addition, hearing aids used by "Z" every year must be insured for 4.5 million rupiah.

Meanwhile, for "Z" glasses, they must get maintenance and renewal considering the condition of "Z"'s eyes and body which continues to develop. The father, who is currently out of work, is worried about the survival of his son who needs special care.

Responding to the problem of "Z", the Head of Dharma Wanita Persatuan of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, Grace Batubara, accompanied by the Director of Child Social Rehabilitation, Kanya Eka Santi, visited the child's house to see, monitor the developmental condition of "Z", and provide assistance to "Z". In addition, representatives from the District Social Service were also present. Bekasi, the sub-district, the midwife, to the local village and RW/RT. Grace did not hesitate to chat with "Z", even "Z" had time to sleep on her shoulder.

The assistance given to "Z" by the Ministry of Social Affairs through the “Handayani” Children's Center is an aid to fulfill nutrition and nutrition for "Z" such as soy milk, iron, prebiotics, brown rice, and fruits. In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs, through the Directorate of Social Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities, will provide verbal auditory therapy assistance to train "Z" hearing and will provide support for eye examinations and glasses replacement.