Yasdi Holds Mass Circumcision for Children with Disabilities to Celebrate Jakarta's 499th Anniversary

In celebration of Jakarta’s 499th anniversary, the Indonesian Disability Solidarity Foundation (Yasdi), together with YPAC Jakarta and RS Hermina Daan Mogot, held the ‘Sahabat Disabilitas 2.0’ mass circumcision programme on Saturday, 27 June 2026, at the YPAC Jakarta ‘Armis Soemarno’ Main Clinic in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. The programme provided the opportunity for 69 children aged 3 to 20 years with various disabilities, including cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, and intellectual, sensory, physical, or multiple disabilities. Yasdi Patron Suty Karno explained that the initial quota was 100, but based on last year’s experience where many were unable to attend due to weather, illness, and other obstacles—resulting in only 77 children participating—this year’s attendance was estimated at around 69 children. ‘Additionally, many other parties are also holding mass circumcisions in celebration of Jakarta’s anniversary,’ Suty said during the event. She noted that the enthusiasm of both the children and parents was excellent and that the concern shown for friends with disabilities was extraordinary. This serves as a lesson that the non-disabled community must become more embracing of various groups. ‘The difference from last year is that it might have been more crowded because we used a procession with a tanjidor band and a walk. But ultimately it was tiring because the route was quite long, so this year we just have a palang pintu ceremony and a Betawi dance performance,’ she said. Suty also conveyed that many families of persons with disabilities still face limited access to circumcision services due to cost, facilities, and the need for special handling. ‘Children with disabilities have the same right to obtain safe, comfortable, and dignified health services. Through this programme, we want to present services that are friendlier, more inclusive, and easily accessible to families,’ she stated. As a centre for education, therapy, and health services for persons with disabilities, YPAC Jakarta acted as host and implementing partner by providing facilities, operational support, participant and family assistance, and ensuring the activity took place in an accessible and disability-friendly environment. On the same occasion, Yasdi Chairperson Yulia Muslim said the foundation has now held the mass circumcision event twice for children with disabilities, as Yasdi believes there are still spaces of solidarity that need to be provided to friends with disabilities through such activities. ‘This event is also connected to Jakarta’s 499th anniversary. Therefore, this mass circumcision and Jakarta’s anniversary signify a spirit of togetherness and inclusive social concern that has an impact on the disability community,’ she said. In line with Yulia, YPAC Jakarta Chairperson Kumala Suryo also stressed that the event was not merely ceremonial, but a joint demonstration of care as a real movement to hold a mass circumcision for special children in Jakarta. ‘So this is a privilege for us, because on this occasion we are also celebrating Jakarta’s 499th anniversary,’ she concluded.