Free Cataract Surgeries in Toraja

Bank Negara Indonesia, in collaboration with Pundi Amal Peduli Kasih Foundation SCTV Indosiar (YPP), held a BNI Berbagi Program providing cataract surgery to four areas of Eastern Indonesia. This program aims to assist residents in restoring vision impairments, enabling them to engage in everyday activities without hindrance. The free cataract surgeries also serve as evidence for BNI's commitment to tackling public health issues and reducing the rate of cataract-blindness in Indonesia.

These surgeries took place at Elim Hospital, Rantepao, North Toraja. On January 13-14, 2024, 35 patients underwent surgery, screening was conducted on 90 patients, and 52 were diagnosed with cataracts. However, only 35 came when the surgeries were scheduled. 2 other patients claimed to be sick and requested for a reschedule, while the rest could not be contacted. 

North Toraja is the fourth site selected for implementing the Cataract Surgery Social Service program, a collaboration between YPP SCTV Indosiar and BNI, after previously being held in 3 other locations, namely Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara; Jayapura, Papua; and Namlea, Buru Island, Maluku. From these four locations, the total number of cataract patients was 358 patients.

The Cataract Surgery Social Service program with BNI was also done in collaboration with PERDAMI South Sulawesi. A total of 6 ophthalmologists and 9 other officers were deployed to support this program.