WAINGAPU (May 2nd, 2024) – Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini accompanied by the acting Director General of Social Rehabilitation Pepen Nazaruddin visits Kanatang Public Health Center in East Sumba Regency to monitor the handling of persons with mental disorders (ODGJ) on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024.

On this occasion, Minister Risma distributed social assistance and additional food to persons with disabilities and persons with mental disorders who were present at the Kanatang Public Health Center.

Minister Risma also invited the citizens to have a discussion and asked the citizens’ needs and the companions who had problems in handling persons with mental disorders. She also asked for East Sumba Regency government’s support to provide valid data on the number of persons with mental disorders and make sure that all the persons with mental disorders listed got Electronic ID card recordings. Thus, it will be easier for them to access government services and social insurance.

“Please report to the village chief and submit it to Social Office, and then to the Regent and deliver it to me. So, everything is mentioned in the Law,” Minister Risma said.

Minister Risma also promised to help fulfill the needs of persons with mental disorders, so that they could live easier, including supporting the family’s economic fulfillment and providing skill training for low-income families to empower their economy.

Further, Minister Risma encouraged all public health centers to provide medical services to persons with mental disorders at least once a month. Therefore, their health condition can be improved.

“Before, persons with mental disorders were treated daily and it was very hard for the family and the beneficiaries. Thus, I tried to get long-term antipsychotic injection treatment for persons with mental disorders every month, so it will be easier and won’t burden their family,” Risma hoped.

Sumba Timur Regent Khristofel Praing, Regional Secretary Umbu Ngadu Ndaamu and his staff, the head of Kanatang Public Health Center, Frengki Miliara and his staff, the Director of Social Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, the Acting Head of Director of Children Social Rehabilitation, the heads of Ministry of Social Affairs’ Integrated Centers and Centers and teams and also the other invitees were also present in the working visit.