The Way of Light Is Real, James Can See Again
10 April 2024
"It's been three years since I felt dark eyes, I prayed to God that I could be given a way to open I had eyes," said Yakobus Umapi (61), a resident of Nayaro Village, Mimika Baru District, Mimika Regency when met after undergoing cataract surgery at Mitra Masyarakat Hospital (RSMM), Friday (5/4).
Light rain fell on the RSMM when James opened up about his eyes not seeing well. The white bandage covered his right eye, the head covering and operating uniform were still attached to the body.
"You are grateful that God gave way to the Freeport Indonesia program that sees (traveling) to the interior, thank you," said Yakobus who came to RSMM accompanied by his wife.
Since morning, dozens of cataract surgery patients, most of whom are elderly, have come to RSMM. The operation took place in several sessions, starting around 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. These patients were picked up from villages in the coastal and mountainous areas of Mimika. They stayed overnight in Timika with full support from PTFI, accompanied by nurses, and when they returned home they were escorted to their respective villages.
PTFI held this free cataract surgery at RSMM, April 5-7, 2024 as the culmination of a series of Social Services to welcome the 57th Anniversary which is commemorated every April 7. With the theme "Working for Indonesia" PTFI continues to work for the betterment of communities in Mimika, Papua and Indonesia in collaboration with all stakeholders.
Muare villager Victor Karambut (65) also has a story about his cataract surgery. Starting from the information on free eye examinations at the Mapuru Jaya Health Center, he rushed to come and get his eyes checked.
"After being examined, my eye doctor thought this should be operated on because the membranes were already thick," he said.
The doctor who examined Victor referred him to undergo cataract surgery. "The doctor advised to prepare because on April 5 we will be picked up by Puskesmas officers and escorted to RSMM," Victor said.
"My Eyes My World"
PTFI President Director Tony Wenas after reviewing the implementation of cataract surgery at RSMM said individual and community health is very important. Because a healthy society will encourage increased productivity.
"Public health is one of the key pillars of PTFI's social investment. Our appreciation to the Mimika Regency Government and all stakeholders involved. Because this collaboration has allowed PTFI's health programs to be accepted and felt the benefits by the community," Tony said.
The person in charge of Eye Health Services and Cataract Surgery Dr. Felix Tobing said that before undergoing cataract surgery, patients take part in screening first.
"Our team conducted free eye exams at nine points in both coastal and mountainous areas from March 25 to April 4. Residents receive general eye health check-up services, color blindness tests, eye refraction examinations, free glasses distribution, and cataract surgery screening," he said.
The nine points are Waa Banti-Tembagapura Village, Timika City, Mapurujaya, SP9, SP12, Aikawapuka, Miyoko, Wumuka and Kapiraya. A total of 1,066 people had their eyes checked, 500 glasses were distributed, and a number of patients were referred to RSMM for cataract surgery.
"In accordance with the slogan of the activity 'My World Eyes', the purpose of this activity is to restore the vision of residents affected by cataracts so that they can see the world better," Felix said.
The free cataract surgery is a collaborative work of PTFI, together with the Mimika Regency Health Office, Amungme and Kamoro Community Empowerment Foundation (YPMAK), RSMM, PT Pangansari Utama (PSU) and Media Group as well as ophthalmologists from the Indonesian Ophthalmologist Association (Perdami).
Reporting from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, cataracts are one of the most common causes of blindness in Indonesia. Referring to Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) survey data in 15 provinces including Papua, it is estimated that 3 out of 100 people in Indonesia aged more than 50 years experience blindness. As many as 81 percent of them are caused by cataracts. This high prevalence rate is a concern for the government by targeting a 25% reduction in visual impairment by 2030.
PTFI continues to be committed to providing benefits to communities around its operational areas through various social investment programs. In 2023, PTFI's social investment value will reach US$122 million and will continue to grow by around US$100 million per year until 2041.
In the health sector, PTFI has built and operated hospitals and clinics that provide free health services in Mimika Regency. Data as of the end of 2023, there were 121,000 patient visits to RSMM; 40,481 visits across 3 general clinics and 2 specialist clinics.
Then 19,824 houses have received Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) services, health socialization and training (Malaria, HIV, AIDS, TB, COVID-19) to 14,000 participants, and Partnerships in District Basic Health Research covering 30 villages and 3,105 households.
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