{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1701681,
        "msgid": "indonesia-expands-eye-screening-and-cataract-surgery-access-1777200683",
        "date": "2026-04-26 17:25:49",
        "title": "Indonesia expands eye screening and cataract surgery access",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Indonesia's Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono highlighted that 600,000\u2013650,000 cases of cataract-related blindness in 2025 threaten national productivity, especially among those over 50, with the Health Ministry reporting that cataracts cause 81.2 percent of blindness in this age group. To address this, the ministry is partnering with the Noor Dubai Foundation and the Indonesian Ophthalmologist Association to offer free cataract surgeries to 500 patients from January to May 2026 in provinces like Central Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara, building on screening programs that identified 2.95 million eye disorder cases among 23.35 million examined. This initiative, supported by the UAE, aligns with the 2025\u20132030 Vision Health Roadmap aiming for 60 percent surgical coverage and strengthens bilateral ties while leveraging local expertise to enhance healthcare access and sustainable development.",
        "content": "<p>Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono said around\n600,000\u2013650,000 cataract-related blindness cases were recorded in 2025,\nposing risks to national productivity, particularly among older\nadults.<\/p>\n<p>Health Ministry data show 81.2 percent of blindness among people aged\nover 50 is primarily caused by cataracts.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf untreated, cataracts lead not only to vision loss but also\nreduced social roles and productivity,\u201d he said on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Screening results from the 2025\u20132026 program found 2.95 million\npeople with eye disorders among 23.35 million examined, underscoring the\nurgency of early detection.<\/p>\n<p>He said cataract patients lose access to about 80 percent of visual\ninformation, significantly limiting daily functioning.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond these measures, the ministry is partnering with the Noor Dubai\nFoundation and the Indonesian Ophthalmologist Association to provide\nfree surgery for 500 patients from January to May 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Surgeries will be conducted across several provinces, including\nCentral Kalimantan (200 patients), West Nusa Tenggara (150), and East\nNusa Tenggara (150).<\/p>\n<p>UAE Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN Abdulla Salem Obaid AlDhaheri\nsaid the cooperation strengthens bilateral ties.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: 10% of RI schoolkids facing vision problems:\nministry<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHealth services are fundamental to human dignity and sustainable\ndevelopment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He added the initiative reflects the humanitarian legacy of Sheikh\nZayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE\u2019s founding leader.<\/p>\n<p>He also praised Indonesian ophthalmologists from Perdami for leading\nall procedures.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInternational support that leverages national expertise is the most\neffective partnership model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Kapuas District Head Muhamad Wiyanto welcomed the program, noting\nindependent surgery can cost up to IDR 10 million (about US$579) per\neye.<\/p>\n<p>He said participation rose from about 150 patients last year to 200\nthis year, reflecting strong demand and trust.<\/p>\n<p>He expressed hope the program would expand to more regions in the\nfuture.<\/p>\n<p>Under the 2025\u20132030 Vision Health Roadmap, the government aims to\nprovide surgery to at least 60 percent of cataract patients.<\/p>\n<p>By 2025, national surgical capacity had reached 634,642 procedures,\nor 92 percent of the target.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: RI, UAE provide free cataract surgery for 500 people in\nremote areas<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie, Katriana<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-expands-eye-screening-and-cataract-surgery-access-1777200683",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}