MoSA Extends Lifeline to Bogor Man, Paralyzed Since 2011
BOGOR (November 1, 2024) – Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) responded to the situation of Anwar Gunawan (50), a resident of Cijeruk, Bogor, West Java, who has been paralyzed since 2011. Through the Galih Pakuan Bogor Center, MoSA visited Anwar at his home to conduct an assessment and provide assistance according to his needs.
"The minister's directive is clear: we must always respond immediately. That’s why we initiated a direct response to Anwar’s case from October 24 to 26, 2024,” said Mitha, a case response officer from the Galih Pakuan Center, in her office on November 1.
Anwar currently lives with his stepmother and two siblings. He can only engage in daily activities from his bed, with help from his family and concerned neighbors.
When Anwar was visited, he could talk fluently and remembered things well. However, he has lost the will to seek hospital treatment, feeling it’s futile and accepting his condition. Therefore, he only received a health check-up from a Cijeruk community health clinic doctor and was prescribed medications.
While encouraging and motivating Anwar, MoSA provided him with Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI), including basic food packages, nutritional supplements, personal hygiene supplies, bedding, and bathroom facilities.
Anwar's mother, who makes grilled fish racks from bamboo, can only sell her products once every two weeks, earning around IDR 200,000. Meanwhile, his siblings work in a café and do odd jobs, but their income remains below the regional minimum wage.
To empower Anwar’s family, MoSA helped with a tilapia fish-farming business and a phone credit sales venture. Anwar’s mother and siblings will run this business. Moreover, their home has an existing fish pond left by Anwar’s late father, who also ran a fish-farming business.