Free Cataract Surgeries in Jayapura

Pundi Amal Peduli Kasih Foundation, in collaboration with Bank Negara Indonesia and Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, provided free cataract surgeries at Bhayangkara Jayapura Hospital, Papua, on December 13-15, 2023, as a part of BNI Berbagi program and in celebration of the National Social Solidarity Day.

The program succeeded in operating on 80 eyes suffering from cataract, assisted by PERDRAMI’s Papua Branch with 3 surgeons and 5 other medical teams. Of the 100 patients who registered, only 80 were eligible for surgery due to problems such as blood pressure and high blood sugar levels.

The goal is to help people minimize problems related to their vision, facilitating a return to these individuals’ day-to-day activities. The free cataract surgeries serve as evidence for BNI's commitment to tackling public health issues and reducing the rate of cataract-blindness in Indonesia.

Jayapura City is the second location for the Cataract Surgery Social Service program after previously being held in Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, on 25-26 November 2023.

In attendance were the Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs,  Tri Rismaharini; Head of BNI Region 16 Tanah Papua,  Ariyanto Soewondo Geni; and the Chief Executive of YPP,  Abas Yahya. The Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs bestowed upon YPP SCTV Indosiar and BNI awards for their commitment to supporting the government in eradicating cataract blindness in Indonesia.

Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs,  Tri Rismaharini, expressed gratitude for all parties involved in their commitment to improving community welfare. According to the minister, cataracts constitute at least 80% of the cause of blindness, thus the importance of supporting cataract sufferers throughout Indonesia.

As the Head of BNI Region 16 Tanah Papua,  Ariyanto Soewondo Geni has stated, your eyes are the windows to your soul and the cure to true solitude.

Patient Profile:

Steven Mondasir (61) is a resident of Bhayangkara Village, North Jayapura District, Jayapura City, had been out of the workforce for 2 years. A cataract in his eye had impaired his vision, preventing him from working his job as a daily laborer. As a result,  Mondasir found himself stuck at home, occasionally helping his wife with crafting Papuan artworks to be sold at exhibitions and other household tasks. When the YPP and BNI Team visited him, he was occupied with crafting his own door frame in hopes of restoring the entrance to his house.

Prior to this,  Mondasir had not received any treatment whatsoever due to the high costs involved. However, it was through social media that he was able to catch wind of information regarding the free cataract surgery offered by YPP and BNI. Accompanied by his wife,  Yustina Yuliana Panasifu,  Mondasir arrived at the Bhayangkara Jayapura Hospital to take part in the surgery.  Panasifu was overjoyed by this turn of events; she hopes that, after recovering, her husband can start working again to aid her in fulfilling their family's daily needs.

The day they removed the bandages from his eyes, the doctor declared  Mondasir’s eyes completely free of cataract. He was even reported to be able to read clearly with perfect vision.