29/12/2023. PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI again held BNI Berbagi free cataract surgery on Buru Island, Maluku. This is the third location in the BNI series to share free cataract operations in 2023.
This activity is also a series of International Disability Day and National Solidarity Day 2023. The event was held jointly with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Association of Indonesian Ophthalmologists (Perdami) North Sulawesi Branch, and YPP SCTV Indosiar, at Namlea Hospital, Buru Regency Island, Maluku, Sunday third December 2023. BNI shares free cataract surgery involving 7 officers (doctors, nurses) who take part in the operation and targets 150 patient eyes.
The Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini, reviewed the implementation of the Cataract Surgery Social Service at the Buru Regency Regional Hospital accompanied by the Head of BNI KC Ambon and the Director of the Buru Regency Regional Hospital. During her visit, the Minister of Social Affairs also took the time to greet the patients who were waiting in the waiting room. On this occasion, Minister Risma also gave an award to BNI, represented by the Leader BNI of Ambon Branch Office for his dedication and support in carrying out free cataract surgery at the Buru Regency Regional Hospital.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo said that this activity was carried out in order to help people prevent vision problems so they can carry out normal activities.
"We understand that cataract is an eye disorder that can impair public performance. Even if it can be operated, not everyone can have access to good health facilities," he said.
Okki explained that this social service activity is a concrete manifestation of the company's dedication to enhancing public health and lowering the rate of cataract blindness in Indonesia.
Based on data collected by the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB), it shows that the rate of blindness in Indonesia reaches 3% and as much as 81% is caused by cataracts.
In line with this, Okki said, BNI through BNI Berbagi free cataract operations aims to operate at least 450 cataract eyes in 4 cities in Eastern Indonesia. The majority of cataract surgery patients are elderly and belong to underserved neighborhoods. Okki further stated that BNI's activity of sharing free cataract operations is a concrete manifestation of the company's dedication to enhancing the quality of public health and efforts to minimize the rate of blindness due to cataracts in Indonesia.
“"With BNI Berbagi free cataract operations, it is hoped that it will be able to prevent cataract sufferers from going blind and can increase their productivity and welfare in the future," said Okki.