Barito Kuala, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - PT Adaro Indonesia and Amanah Bangun Negeri Foundation (YABN) in collaboration with the Health Office of Barito Kuala, South Kalimantan, conductedd free cataract surgery for 35 patients in Handil Bakti Sub-district.
Barito Kuala Regent Bahrul Ilmi officiated the program, specifically for the local district, at the Utama Setara Clinic, Saturday.
“We welcome this initiative. This collaboration between Adaro and the Health Office will help people who suffered cataract so they will be more productive after recovery,” he said.
The Regent hopes this positive program will further motivate the success of community empowerment in health.
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Head of South Kalimantan Health Office Diauddin said the Adaro's program a strategic step to reduce the rate of blindness in the province.
He believes this program is crucial considering cataracts are the primary cause of blindliness in the community.
Diauddin hopes Adaro will serve many more people to assist the goverment in addressing blindliness.
“Thank you PT Adaro Indonesia and YABN, the more social programs will of course help those in need,” he said.
Read also: Adaro's cataract prevention program covers six districts
PT Adaro Indonesia's CSR Section Head Aan Nurhadi said the 2025 cataract free surgery targets 480 patients in six districts, including four in South Kalimantan: Barito Kuala, Tabalong, Balangan, Hulu Sungai Utara. The other two districts in Central Kalimantan.
“This year, we conduct the first surgery in Barito Kuala on 35 patients. We partner with PPI medical organization which specialized in cataract surgery. We brought in ophthalmologists who use phacoemulsification technology, a modern technique for removing cataracts," he said.
This modern technique, he said, is quite fast, taking only about 10-15 minutes to treat one patient.
Aan re-affirmed that this Adaro's program prioritizes people from low-income familites, so they can be helped and become more productive after recovering from cataracts.
Read also: Adaro, Barito Selatan collaborate to operate 50 cataract sufferers
