Operations free of charge

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The local government here has planned free cataract operations for 500 poor people.

Chief of the provincial health office Soejono said Monday that the local government has linked up with several social foundations and hospitals to implement the plan.

Last year, the government, in cooperation with the navy, offered free cataract operations for 430 people.

Soejono said that about seven percent of the province's population, mostly the elderly, have cataracts and may go blind unless they obtain medical help soon. (pan)