\u201cThe initiative is part of the local government\u2019s commitment to\nproviding inclusive, child-friendly healthcare services that are easily\naccessible to persons with disabilities,\u201d Iqbal said in Mataram on\nSunday.<\/p>\n
He made the statement during the launch of the \u201cCerah\u201d (Bright)\nProgram, which includes child-friendly and disability-inclusive eye care\nservices at the NTB Eye Hospital, which was in conjunction with the\ncommemoration of World Sight Day 2026, themed \u201cHealthy Eyes, A Brighter\nFuture.\u201d<\/p>\n
Iqbal emphasized that child-friendly and disability-inclusive\nservices should not remain only an innovation at the NTB Eye Hospital,\nbut they must also become the standard across all healthcare facilities\noperated by the local government.<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked that every hospital under the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial\nGovernment must have staff who can use sign language. At least there\nshould be two individuals proficient in sign language present at the\ncustomer service desk every day,\u201d Iqbal said.<\/p>\n
According to him, accessibility is a fundamental aspect of public\nservice. Every citizen, including those with disabilities, must have\nequal opportunity to receive proper care tailored to their specific\nneeds.<\/p>\n
Iqbal also underscored the importance of prevention, early detection,\nand rapid response in addressing vision impairments.<\/p>\n
He expressed his appreciation for his predecessors, who laid the\nfoundation for eye care services in NTB by establishing the Eye Health\nCenter in 2000.<\/p>\n
He hopes that the development of eye care services will be directed\ntoward the long-term goal of reducing the incidence of blindness in NTB\nto the lowest possible level.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur aspiration is that, at some point, NTB will become a province\nwith \u2018zero blindness.\u2019 We must ensure that no one suffers from\nblindness,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The commitment to inclusive services is further expanded through a\nplan to provide shuttle vehicles for all special-needs schools (SLB) in\nWest Nusa Tenggara (NTB), starting in January 2027. These vehicles are\nintended to assist students who face difficulties with transportation to\nschool.<\/p>\n
The electric vehicles are also designed to function as ambulances,\nshould the need arise within the school environment or the surrounding\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
Cahya Dessy Rahmawati, President Director of the NTB Eye Hospital,\nstated that the launch of the Bright Program is to broaden the reach of\neye care services to all segments of society, from infants and children\nto the elderly and individuals with disabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want this eye hospital to be a place for all ages and all walks\nof life. We also aim to ensure that eye care services become\nincreasingly accessible to the public, including those in remote and\nisolated areas,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
Through the Bright Program, the NTB Eye Hospital conducts mobile eye\nhealth screenings in inland regions and provides free patient shuttle\nservices, with the initial phase focused on the island of Lombok.<\/p>\n
Related news: East Kalimantan improves sign language skills for\nhealth workers<\/p>\n
Related news: Sign language access key to protect children with\ndisability: Minister<\/p>\n
Translator: Nur Imansyah, Cindy Frishanti Octavia<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ntb-governor-targets-disability-friendly-hospitals-across-ntb-1792317009", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }