MALUKU (July 24th, 2024) - Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) continued reaching the island on the state border through the Social Service of cataracts surgery.

"This year, MoSA programs reach borderline areas such as Kei Island, a frontier island which is quite far, to get health service. It is proven that more than 300 citizens undergo cataract surgery services,” Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini said in Maluku on Wednesday (24/7/2024).

Social service activities involved various related parties such as the Indonesian Navy, SCTV, The Association of Indonesian Ophthalmologists (PERDAMI), hospitals, and local public health centers.

“For transporting the assistance to the residents, we are involved with the Republic of Indonesia Warship (KRI) and the cataract surgery involves the humanitarian institution SCTV.

"For the transportation of aid to civilians, we have a KRI and cataract eye operation involving the SCTV humanitarian agency," she said.

On the occasion, Minister Risma had a dialogue and greeted the residents while giving them motivation to have the spirit to succeed.

"Our children can succeed if we give them courage, space, and opportunity. I hope the children of Kei Island will be as successful as the other kids on other islands in Indonesia," she said.

Minister Risma emphasized that there was nothing impossible because God always gave the best opportunities if there was a strong will.

“Nothing is impossible for God. As long as someone’s willing to work for the children to be triumphant. One day, when I am a nobody, I want to hear that these kids can be successful nationally and internationally,” the Minister said.

Then, Minister Risma looked at some services provided in the Social Service event, such as health examinations for lepers and former lepers or persons with physical disabilities.

There were also examinations for mental health/psychiatric, persons with mental issues, and general check-ups for physiotherapy beneficiaries (occupational therapy and speech therapy).

Other than those, services for persons with sensory disabilities (audiometry sensory examination for persons with hearing and speech disabilities), general check-ups for vitals, mobility orientation, adaptive cane usage, and services for persons with intellectual disabilities such as IQ/psychology examinations were also provided.