LEWA (May 3, 2024) - During a working visit and dialogues with the community in East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini immediately fulfilled various requests from the community. Some of them were even immediately executed, such as wheelchairs and sticks. The Minister of Social Affairs also immediately sent doctors and teams to check the physical and mental health conditions of children, the elderly, and disabilities who were present at the Lewa Health Center, Kambata Wundut Village, Lewa District, Friday (3/5).

After the working visit, Social Affairs Minister Risma promised to deploy a team to conduct examinations and screening. "So after this, we will do the first I promise, cataract surgery, the second ear examination. Then for referrals, we received referrals from the regions. We will prepare for therapy, we will bring it to Solo for those who are possible to be treated," said Risma.

The Minister said population data is the main thing that must be resolved immediately so that people can get assistance from the Social Security Organizing Agency (BPJS) for National Health Insurance (JKN). Social Affairs Minister Risma has asked for help from the local government so that data recording is carried out immediately. During the dialogue, many people complained that their families had paralysis due to cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and microcephalus. Specifically for People with Mental Disorders (ODGJ) in East Sumba, the Minister has contacted Minister of Health Budi Gunawan Sadikin so that ODGJ in East Sumba are given long-acting drugs or drugs that are consumed once a month. So far, ODGJ takes medicine once a day, and this is quite burdensome for families.

In terms of empowerment, Social Affairs Minister Risma has given directions to social companions to conduct assessments and report to the Ministry of Social Affairs regarding the empowerment assistance needed. Empowerment is also to deal with stunting. She will assist in laying hens. "Regarding empowerment, I have directed these companions (to conduct assessments)," said Social Affairs Minister Risma.

The Regent of East Sumba, Khristofel Praing, really appreciated the steps of Social Affairs Minister Risma who immediately went down to see the conditions in the field. According to him, this should be emulated by other ministries and institutions. He acknowledged that the eastern part of Indonesia has poverty problems that tend to be the same so it requires joint handling between the regional and central governments. "I think it is something extraordinary and we have a very high appreciation of the concern of a leader of a minister to go directly to meet the community and listen directly," he said.

Khristofel also appreciated Social Affairs Minister Risma who directly included people with certain conditions such as ODGJ and disabilities into the recipients of the Family Hope Program (PKH) and at the same time became recipients of BPJS PBI JKN (health insurance) from the central government. Meanwhile, Social Affairs Minister Risma targets the data collection and registration of the community to be completed within the next month.