LHOKSEUMAWE (29 May 2024) – Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini is dedicated to increasing the availability of free cataract surgery for the elderly, as cataracts reduce productivity. In honor of National Elderly Day (HLUN) 2024 in North Aceh, up to 399 elderly people received free cataract surgery at the Cut Meutia General Hospital. "If treated too late, cataracts can cause visual disability," stated Minister Risma, expressing her determination to intensify free cataract surgery.


Cut Meutia General Hospital performed cataract surgery on 300 patients on Tuesday (28/5), and 99 people will be operated on Wednesday (29/5), increasing the total to 399. They have passed multiple screening phases, including glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, and biometric screening. Initially, on 14-16 May 2024, a team from the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) conducted health checks and geriatric screenings at 32 health centers for 2,018 elderly persons.


Furthermore, the screening findings revealed that 836 elderly met the requirements for surgery. To ensure they were medically eligible, biometric screening was performed again in the hospital, and the results revealed that 399 elderly were eligible for cataract surgery. Other elderly fail the test because their sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels are quite high, or their cataracts are not developed enough for surgery.


Siti Romlah (70), a Banda Baro District resident, stated that she was excited about having cataract surgery because she wanted to recover her vision. Previously, her vision was blurry, interfering with her regular tasks. As a result, when she heard on the radio that there was free cataract surgery, she registered with village officials, underwent screening, and was found to have passed, allowing her to receive surgery. "When I can see again, I want to sew clothes for my grandchildren," she excitedly stated, her eyes still bandaged. Siti Romlah is just one of hundreds of elderly persons who have had MoSA-free cataract surgery.


MoSA provided free cataract surgery to 8,834 elderly in several regions including East Java, Papua, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara. In 2022, up to 724 elderly had cataract surgery, 6,012 in 2023, and 2,098 in 2024. MoSA is collaborating with the Indonesian Ophthalmologist Association (Perdami), Perdami Aceh, and the Cut Meutia General Hospital Doctor Team to perform cataract surgery this time