Preventing Blindness Caused by Cataract, Approximately 100 Patients Join BCA’s Free Cataract Surgery at RS Masmitra Bekasi

Bekasi, 20 March 2019 – Continuing its commitment to always stay by the people through its social activities, PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) has once again organized a cataract surgery program to ensure better eye health. Through the CSR Bakti BCA program, BCA organized a free cataract surgery at RS Masmitra Jati Makmur Bekasi on 20 March 2019.

Attending to open the program was Executive Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of BCA Inge Setiawati, accompanied by Chief Operating Officer of BCA Regional Office IX Shyenny Lendra Putri and Branch Operating Chief of KCU BCA Bekasi Reni Kesuma together with Administrative Coordinator of SPBK Headquarter Dr. Sita Paramita Ayuningtyas, SpM and Director of RS Masmitra Dr. Mira Puspitasari MARS. The free cataract surgery was conducted in Bekasi and was expected to reach approximately 100 patients. The program was held for only one day  (20/03), where patients had undergone initial examination process the previous day.

According to data released by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, as of November 2018, many Indonesians had cataract. An estimated 1 million Indonesians suffering from cataract blindness today. Meanwhile, based on the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB), the average number of blindness in Indonesia is estimated at 3% for those 50 years of age and over.

“This year marks the 18^th year of BCA’s commitment to prevent blindness caused by cataract that can happen to anyone, at any age. Looking at the importance of organizing cataract surgery every year, BCA, through the CSR Bakti BCA, continues its commitment to reach people all across Indonesia,  who are in need of immediate and appropriate medical assistance. Therefore, today, BCA is coming to Bekasi to work together to prevent blindness caused by cataract,” explained Inge.

BCA has been working with SPBK-Perdami since 2001. Throughout 2018, BCA has successfully facilitated 4,878 free cataract surgeries. Apart from that, BCA also donated 2 microscope units in 2018 worth Rp500 million. Meanwhile in 2016, BCA had also donated two microscope units worth Rp500 million, 13 surgery tools and 2 biometric tools worth Rp450.45 million in 2015, and 1 unit of microscope worth Rp385 million in 2014.

Besides RS Masmitra Jati Makmur Bekasi, BCA had also conducted cataract surgeries at RSUD dr. Achmad Diponegoro in Kapuas Hulu Regency, not too long ago. BCA also conducted other social activities, including Blood Donor, Free Medical Treatments in various regions, health education, seminars for the administrators of BCA assisted tourism villages, etc.

“Eyes are the window to the soul and are essential to the public life in order to live an optimal life. Understanding this, BCA wants to overcome visual impairment caused by cataract. We hope that the free cataract surgery we hold today can provide long term benefits especially for the people of Bekasi. Let’s fight against cataract!” Inge concluded.

Cataract Surgery in Bekasi – (left to right) Executive Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of BCA Inge Setiawati with Director of RS Masmitra Dr. Mira Puspitasari MARS and Administrative Coordinator of SPBK Headquarter Dr. Sita Paramita Ayuningtyas, SpM during Social Charity for Cataract Surgery in Bekasi, Wednesday (20/03). Through its CSR Bakti BCA program, BCA held free cataract surgeries at RS Masmitra Jati Makmur Bekasi, which was attended by approximately 100 patients. Besides RS Masmitra Jati Makmur Bekasi, BCA had also organized cataract surgery program at RSUD dr. Achmad Diponegoro in Kapuas Hulu Regency few weeks ago.