Baznas provides free healthcare services for people with disabilities in Bandung
Jakarta — The National Zakat Board (Baznas), through its West Java Healthy Home facility (RSB), recently provided free healthcare services to participants in a disability-focused religious training programme at the Islamic Preaching Centre (Pusdai) in Bandung.
Imdadun Rahmat, Deputy II of Baznas Indonesia, stated in Jakarta on Friday that the healthcare initiative operated for two days and benefited 65 recipients, consisting of children with disabilities participating in the programme, programme supervisors, and local residents.
“This also demonstrates our commitment to vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities. The zakat, voluntary contributions, and charitable donations (ZIS) collected by our donors are safeguarded for distribution to the eight categories of recipients entitled to zakat assistance, including people with disabilities,” he said.
He outlined the healthcare services provided, ranging from health checks and medical consultations to treatment procedures. Residents also received medications according to their diagnoses.
“We want people with disabilities to have equal rights like other members of society, namely access to adequate and affordable healthcare services. These free healthcare services originate from community funds and must be returned for the public good,” he said.
During the initiative, the West Java RSB team documented numerous health concerns among recipients, including hypertension, hyperglycaemia, muscle pain, hyperuricaemia, and acute respiratory tract infections.
According to him, these conditions highlight the importance of accessible healthcare services for the public, particularly vulnerable groups who often face barriers in obtaining medical care.
“An indicator of improved welfare is improved public health. Therefore, we continue to work towards establishing health programmes that can reach vulnerable groups,” he said.
Imdadun emphasised that Baznas will continue expanding the Healthy Home Baznas service across various regions in Indonesia to reach more people.
Through this free healthcare initiative, he hopes that people with disabilities and surrounding communities can benefit directly from collected zakat funds, whilst strengthening zakat’s role in improving the quality of life for those in need.
To date, Baznas operates 38 Healthy Home Baznas facilities across various regions in Indonesia. Baznas also manages two mobile healthcare services in the form of maritime ambulances (vessels) operating in the Sangihe and Talaud island regions respectively.