Tangerang, 23 February 2017 – Marking its 60th anniversary, PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) is committed to #BecomeBetter not only in providing banking services and solutions, but also in serving and giving meaning to the lives of Indonesian people. One of these commitments has been implemented through its contribution in eradicating visual impairment and blindness in Indonesia. BCA has done this by providing free cataract surgeries in numerous regions, in collaboration with Cataract Blindness Eradication Unit of the Indonesian Ophthalmologist Association (SPBK Perdami), one of which being organized at South Tangerang City Regional Public Hospital (RSUD Kota Tangerang Selatan).
Attending to open the Free Cataract Surgery program was Vice President of CSR Solution Development of BCA, Rizali Zakaria, Head of BCA Blok A Cipete Branch, Hengki Paulus, Head of BCA Pamulang Branch, Farida Yanuar, Mayor of South Tangerang, Airin Rachmi Diany, Director of South Tangerang Public Hospital, Suhara Manullang, and Member of South Tangerang House of Representatives, Tarmizi, at South Tangerang Public Hospital, Banten, Sunday (26/02). The free cataract surgery program was the implementation of Bakti BCA Solusi Sinergi program carried out by 15 ophthalmologists.
“Some of the inhibiting factors in the eradication of cataract in Indonesia include the limited public access to eye health services in remote areas, border areas, and islands where there are no healthcare services, including access to ophthalmologists. The current condition has led BCA to consistently work with SPBK Perdami as the professional association of ophthalmologists in providing free cataract surgeries simultaneously in several regions, even in remote and coastal parts of Indonesia,” said Rizali.
Cataract remains the main cause of visual impairment and blindness in Indonesia and all over the world. Out of all blindness cases found in Indonesia, more than 50% is caused by cataract. Cataract is a degenerative process that is highly dependent on age, therefore its risk will only worsen with the increasing number of ageing population. The Ministry of Health has estimated that new cases of cataract blindness in Indonesia will increase by 0.1% annually in the total population, or roughly 250,000 people/year. Meanwhile, the government’s ability to conduct cataract surgery annually is only estimated at 180,000 people/year, therefore increasing the number of cataract patients in Indonesia.
“BCA will not only focus on the economy, but also show its concern for health as one of the determining factors of social well-being. The free cataract surgery program today is expected to support the people in Tangerang to be able to work more productively. This BCA program is also in line with the government’s vision of Indonesia Cataract Blindness Free by 2020, expecting that by 2020 everyone will have the right to optimal vision,” added Rizali.
Previously, BCA had also donated to SPBK Perdami one unit of microscope valued at Rp 385 million in 2014, 13 surgical instruments and two biometric devices worth Rp 450.45 million in 2015, as well as a donation of Rp 500 million at the end of 2016 to purchase two units of microscopes required for free cataract surgeries in numerous regions all over Indonesia.
“We truly wish that the Free Cataract Surgery programs that BCA has continuously carried out in collaboration with SPBK Perdami since 2001 could contribute in lowering the number of cataract blindness cases in Indonesia,” said Rizali concluding his remarks.
Bakti BCA’s Free Cataract Surgery – Vice President of CSR Solution Development of PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA), Rizali Zakaria (left), hands over a souvenir to Mayor of South Tangerang, Airin Rachmi Diany (second from left), accompanied by Director of South Tangerang Hospital, Suhara Manullang (second from right), and Member of South Tangerang House of Representatives, Tarmizi (right), in Bakti Sosial Operasi Katarak held at South Tangerang Hospital, Banten, Sunday (26/02). BCA is collaborating with SPBK Perdami as the professional association of ophthalmologists in providing free cataract surgeries in numerous regions, including South Tangerang, and in support of government’s program in achieving Indonesia Cataract Blindness Free by 2020.
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About PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (as of 30 September 2016)
PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) is one of the leading banks in Indonesia focusing on business banking transaction, credit loan facilities, and financial solutions for corporate, commercial & SME, as well as personal customers. At the end of September 2016, BCA facilitated banking transactions for 15 million customer accounts through 1,204 branches, 17,057 ATM and hundreds of thousands of EDC, supported by internet banking and mobile banking services.
For more information, please contact :
PT BANK CENTRAL ASIA TBK
Corporate Secretariat Division – Corporate Communication Sub Division
Public Relations Bureau
Address : Jl. MH Thamrin No. 1
Menara BCA Grand Indonesia Lt. 20
Jakarta Pusat
Phone : (021) 2358-8000
Fax : (021) 2358-8300
E-mail : humas@bca.co.id
