The MoSA and East OKU Regional Government to Fulfiill the Needs of Elderly Suffering from Intestinal Infections

EAST OKU (February 22, 2023) - His eyes were empty. His gaze was directed towards the ceiling of the house. His body lay limp, only bones covered in skin.

This is Midi's condition, which has been ravaged by pain for the last two months. The 61-year-old man had just undergone surgery due to a colon infection.

"My father has been experiencing this illness for two months. I am grateful he was treated immediately because of the response from the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Regional Government. I feel relieved because the operational costs of treatment were helped and the debt to the hospital was also paid," said Midi's youngest child, Fitri Nurfadilah, on Wednesday (2/22).

Fitri said that two months ago, her father complained of stomachache and difficulty defecating. Efforts have been made to several health services, but the condition has not improved. Finally, when an examination was carried out at the At-Taqwa Islamic Hospital in East Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU), Mbah Midi was diagnosed with an intestinal blockage.

At that time, the doctor recommended that Mbah Midi undergo surgery. The operation went smoothly, but around IDR67.6 million of the IDR108 million operating costs were still not paid. Mbah Midi is not yet registered as a BPJS recipient so the medical costs must be borne by himself.

The family has sold cows to pay for the operation costs but it still has not been able to cover the shortfall. Mbah Midi's children only work as farm laborers and do odd jobs.

Hearing this from the media, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini mobilized her staff to respond quickly to Mbah Midi's needs. The Ministry of Social Affairs is coordinating with the Regional Government of East OKU Regency, South Sumatra Province in handling Mbah Midi.

"Yes, the Ministry of Social Affairs is collaborating with the East OKU Regional Government to treat Mbah Midi. We are continuing to work towards Mbah Midi's recovery. The Ministry of Social Affairs is also providing shelter at the "Budi Perkasa" Center in Palembang during Mbah Midi's treatment at Muh Husein Hospital in Palembang," said the Director of Social Rehabilitation for the Elderly, Ministry of Social Affairs, Supomo.

In this coordination, it was agreed that the Ministry of Social Affairs, through the "Galih Pakuan" Center in Bogor, would provide Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) in the form of necessities, nutrition, and personal hygiene packages for Mbah Midi.

Mbah Midi will be referred to Muh Husein Hospital in Palembang because the surgical wound has become infected due to never being cleaned. For this reason, the Ministry of Social Affairs is providing a shelter service at the "Budi Perkasa" Center in Palembang for Mbah Midi and his family, while waiting for room availability at Muh Husein Hospital in Palembang.

At the center, Mbah Midi received services from a nurse, fulfilling his basic and personal hygiene needs.

The Ministry of Social Affairs is also collaborating with the Health Office to provide ambulance facilities to send and pick up Mbah Midi during treatment.

In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs is also collaborating with Veteran Jaya Village to process Mbah Midi's BPJS status from BPJS Mandiri to BPJS PBI.

Regarding the shortage of operating costs at the At-Taqwa Islamic Hospital in East OKU, the East OKU Regional Government is ready to help pay it off. This was conveyed at a coordination meeting held by the Ministry of Social Affairs with the East Oku Regional Government, on Tuesday (21/2/).

Public Relations Bureau
Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs