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 19th, 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 3rd, we have had events
up to today, and continuing until National Social Solidarity Day on December 20th.
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 8th.
"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.