Reinforcing Persons with Disabilities’ Rights Equality, Minister of Social Affairs Releases 51 Persons with Mental Disability from Stocks

Stocks isn’t needed for persons with mental disabilities, because with regular treatment the patient can be cured.

BEKASI (December 19^th, 2022) - Ministry of Social Affairs released 51 persons with mental disabilities (ODGJ) who were put in stocks in some regions in Indonesia through Ministry of Social Affairs' Technical Implementation Unit (UPT).

The release of the stocks was carried out online and witnessed by Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini and her staff at Pangudi Luhur Integrated Center (STPL) in Bekasi, some time ago.

In her statement, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini said that the release is held as a series of commemorations of International Disability Day (HDI) and National Social Solidarity Day (HKSN), to encourage equal rights for persons with disabilities.

"So, we commemorate International Disability Day, not with a celebration. Since December 3^rd, we have had events up to today, and continuing until National Social Solidarity Day on December 20^th. We create these to help our brothers and sisters, persons with disabilities," said Minister of Social Affairs in Bekasi.

The release is carried out by 31 Social Rehabilitation Centers belonging to Ministry of Social Affairs spread throughout Indonesia. Minister of Social Affairs witnesses the release process, along with the reports by each Center. In several cases, Risma appeared to look away, unable to bear to see the entire process.

Risma also asks that there be no more cases of stocks in this country. If similar cases are encountered, they should be reported to her, so that they can get access to Premium Assistance Recipients of National Health Insurance (PBI-JK) services for treatment.

"There should no longer be stocks in Indonesia. We can help, as soon as there is an indication, I ask the Regional Heads to register their citizen so they can get access to Premium Assistance Recipients of National Health Insurance. Then, they can get their medicine at the Public Health Center. So, there is no need to put someone in stocks," she said with full emphasis.

According to Risma, mental disabilities suffered by people in stocks can be cured by taking medication regularly. They often have certain abilities in something.

"Sometimes, we don't give them a chance. Well, this is the time, we allow them to thrive and be successful, the same as others. They have the same rights as we do. In the future, we have to think about what their potential is”, she said.

Through the effort to free from stocks, Risma continued that she hoped everyone could support persons with disabilities throughout Indonesia to be able and empowered to access anything, from education, and health, to the economy.

In line with the theme of the International Disability Day of 2022 commemoration, Ministry of Social Affairs is holding the Indonesia Sees, Indonesia Hears, Indonesia Walks, Indonesia Free of Stocks, and Cataract Surgery Programs at Social Rehabilitation Center located throughout Indonesia.

Apart from releasing persons with mental disabilities from stocks, which represents the Stocks Free Indonesia Program, on the same occasion, Minister of Social Affairs also handed over Adaptive Canes, as a representation of the Indonesia Sees Program, symbolically to 10 persons with visual disability at Pangudi Luhur Integrated Center in Bekasi.

Included, Hearing Aid Assistance (ABD) as a symbolic representation of the Indonesia Hears Program for 12 persons with speech and hearing Disabilities.

Meanwhile, in the Indonesia Walks Program, Ministry of Social Affairs hands over electric wheelchairs. Cataract surgery is also provided in almost all regions in Indonesia through the Centers.

In the same place, Director General of Social Rehabilitation Pepen Nazaruddin says that this year, Ministry of Social Affairs is commemorating International Disability Day with a slightly different format compared to previous years.

"We interpret this year's International Disability Day commemoration as an important momentum to record progress and continue to make real moves to advance the rights of people with disabilities," he said.

Before it was carried out Pangudi Luhur Integrated Center in Bekasi, Ministry of Social Affairs has already held a similar activity in Subang Regency on December 8^th.

"Continuing the echo of the previous event, today's event is also an effort to reaffirm the commitment to create inclusive development for persons with disabilities to support the creation of an accessible and equal world," he said.

Pepen said that the total assistance distributed for the International Disability Day of 2022 commemoration series in two locations in Subang Regency and Pangudi Luhur Integrated Center in Bekasi reaches IDR 26,1 billion.