The Story of a Cancer Survivor's Resilience in the Face of Life's Trials at Palamartha

Cancer survivors are one of the subjects of protection under the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos). Through the Palamartha Centre in Sukabumi, Kemensos offers rehabilitation support and social empowerment. Tika Kartika, a resident from Bogor, chose to fight cancer alongside the Palamartha Centre. “If it weren’t for the help from here, I don’t know if I’d still be in this world or not,” Tika stated in her remarks on Thursday (19/3/2026). She recounted how her life changed when she faced the harsh reality of being diagnosed with cancer. Treatment costs, from routine check-ups to surgery, became a heavy burden she could scarcely bear alone. Tika initially did not realise how serious her illness was. She felt three lumps around her breast, leading to further examinations at the hospital. Through the social rehabilitation services of the Palamartha Centre, Tika received health cost assistance, from monthly routine treatments at Santosa Hospital in Bandung to support for the surgery she needed. During her recovery period, Tika also received entrepreneurial aid. She was facilitated to sell at the Sentra Kreasi Atensi (SKA) Phalamartha as part of economic empowerment. “Now I feel very helped. I truly relied on the Palamartha Centre back then,” Tika concluded. Currently, Tika lives in the Palamartha Centre dormitory, making her support and recovery more optimal and sustainable. This accompaniment is the Ministry of Social Affairs’ effort to help vulnerable groups rise and regain their strength.