Handayani Center Responses to Follow-Up the Efforts for Handling PMIB Children Suffering from Heart Disease

PURWAKARTA (June 16, 2022) – The Ministry of Social Affairs through Handayani Center will follow up on the handling of PMIB children diagnosed with heart disease. In April 2022, the Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini, assisted the repatriation of 34 Troubled Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMIB) from Saudi Arabia. Arriving in Indonesia, all PMIB received full attention of the Minister.

All UPT (Technical Implementation Unit) belonging to MoSA immediately carry out an assessment process to determine the identity, condition, and needs of PMIB. "Handayani" Center Jakarta, conducted an assessment of several PMIB who are domiciled in Karawang and Purwakarta Regencies.

Nia (40), is a PMIB from Purwakarta Regency has been to and from work in Saudi Arabia 4 times,, and has 3 children, one of whom is married. Her husband works as a farmer and does other odd jobs.

Nia doesn't want to go back to work abroad because of the increasingly worrying physical condition of her third child, Salsa (8). "I give up", Nia complained when asked if she wanted to return to work abroad or not.

Salsa is known to have heart disease. Since she was 3 years old, she often looks out of breath when she breathes, and cannot play like other children because she will feel weak if she does too much activity.

When an examination was carried out at (Public Health Center) Puskesmas, Salsa had spots on her heart. Not receiving intensive care, when she was 5 years old, Salsa had a high fever, blue mouth and nails, and difficulty breathing. Initially, when she was examined by a local midwife and was declared malnourished because her weight was below the average children as usual.

Her father checked Salsa to the hospital. By taking advantage of the paid BPJS card service every month.

The doctor stated that Salsa must be given surgery immediately. However, due to the lack of complete medical equipment at the hospital, the doctor suggested that she should be treated intensively at the Jakarta Hospital with adequate equipment.

Due to lack of money, Nia's husband only took care of Salsa traditionally and gave medicine that must be consumed for 6 months. But unfortunately, it was not continued after 4 months of taking the drug. Even today's BPJS has not been paid until the arrears are quite large.