Riau Police Provide Free Cataract Surgery for 310 Residents Ahead of Bhayangkara Day
A total of 310 residents from various regencies and cities in Riau Province participated in a free cataract surgery social service. The activity was organised by the Riau Regional Police in collaboration with Awal Bros Hospital, the Indonesian Association of Ophthalmologists (Perdami) of Riau-Riau Islands, and the Sekar Ayu Jiwanta Foundation in conjunction with Bhayangkara Day celebrations. The event, centred at Awal Bros Panam Hospital in Pekanbaru, represented a tangible cross-sector humanitarian collaboration to provide health services for the community while restoring hope for cataract sufferers who have been living with visual limitations.
Riau Regional Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan stated that the free cataract surgery programme was a concrete form of humanitarian solidarity providing direct benefits to the community. According to him, a meaningful life is one that can benefit fellow human beings. “Today we strengthen a very important value, namely human solidarity. The best of people are those who benefit others. Therefore, this activity is not just about a medical operation, but about restoring hope for our brothers and sisters,” he said.
During his speech, the Police Chief also shared a personal experience of accompanying his father, who suffered from visual impairment whilst performing worship in the Holy Land. Herry said this experience made him understand how precious the ability to see is and how significant vision is to a person’s quality of life. “I felt for myself how someone must carry out activities with limitations because they cannot see well. Therefore, when today 310 people get the opportunity to see the world more clearly again, we are truly presenting hope and happiness for them and their families,” he remarked.
Herry affirmed that every kindness carried out sincerely would provide far greater benefits to society. “When someone can see again, they can see their children and grandchildren, walk more independently, resume activities, and enjoy life better. This is the true meaning of service to others,” he said.
The Chairperson of the Sekar Ayu Jiwanta Foundation, Emi Wiranto, stated that the free cataract surgery activity was part of the foundation’s commitment to providing tangible benefits to people in need, particularly those with limited access to eye health services. Emi said that vision is one of the most precious gifts in life; therefore, helping people regain their ability to see is a form of humanitarian service that greatly impacts a person’s quality of life. She noted the high number of participants showed that many people still need eye health assistance.
The Chief Executive Officer of Awal Bros Hospital, Arfan Awaloeddin, stated that the collaboration was part of a joint commitment to expanding access to eye health services for those in need. He noted that many people live with visual impairment from cataracts not because the disease is incurable, but because of limited access to healthcare. Arfan also appreciated the ‘Green Policing’ concept initiated by the Riau Police Chief, interpreting its philosophy as preserving life and providing benefits to the community. All surgery participants received treatment using modern phacoemulsification technology, the standard cataract surgery service at Awal Bros Hospital.