Free Cataract Surgeries in Namlea, Maluku

Pundi Amal Peduli Kasih Foundation, in collaboration with Bank Negara Indonesia and the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, provided free cataract surgeries at the Buru Regency Regional Hospital on December 20 and 21, 2023 for the BNI Sharing program and in celebration of National Social Solidarity Day.

A total of 118 eyes were successfully operated on with the assistance of doctors and medical teams from PERDAMI North Sulawesi and Maluku Eye Clinic who deployed 3 ophthalmologists and 7 other medical teams.

The free cataract surgeries serve as evidence for BNI's commitment to improving public health by reducing the rate of blindness due to cataracts in Indonesia. Namlea City is the third location in which the Cataract Surgery Social Service program was held in collaboration betweenYPP SCTV Indosiar and BNI.

In attendance were the Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs,  Tri Rismaharini; Head of BNI Maluku Branch,  Alexander Rosari Naping; and Chief Executive of YPP,  Abas Yahya.

The Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs showed gratitude to YPP SCTV Indosiar and BNI, as well as all the other parties involved, for their commitment to supporting the government in eradicating cataract blindness in Indonesia.

Patient Testimony:

Wanjei – 76 years old.

Mrs. Wanjei’s right eye had been rendered unable to see for 26 years, while her left eye stayed blurry for 4 years—both a result of the cataracts forming in her eyes. Without her eyesight, she was hindered from doing anything aside from sleeping and sitting around her own home. Before this,  Wanjei worked as a farmer to support her family after her husband left the family 26 years ago.