Free Eye Checks and Glasses Bring Smiles to Students
Reported by Anita Karyati | Translated by Maria Inggita
Free eye screenings and eyeglass distribution were provided to 774 students in North Jakarta through a joint initiative by the Indonesian Optical Entrepreneurs Association (Gapopin), the Jakarta Health Agency, and the North Jakarta Health Sub-agency.
"Thank you for organizing this event, "
The event, held at Sunter Sports Center's Multipurpose Building on Jalan Taman Tirta, Sunter Jaya Urban Village, Tanjung Priok Sub-district, was met with enthusiasm and joy.
Commission B and Executive Discuss Transportation SubsidiesSilpa (11), a sixth-grade student at SDN Pademangan Barat 11, expressed her happiness at receiving a free eye exam and even a pair of free glasses.
“I'm so glad I got to have my eyes checked again. My left eye is fine, but my right eye is still minus one. Thank you for organizing this event,” she shared on Thursday (10/9).
Arif Syaiful Haq, Head of Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Control Section (PPMPTM) at the Jakarta Health Office, said the activity was held to commemorate World Sight Day on October 9. Similar events will be held in four other cities.
“The Jakarta Provincial Government, through Health Agency, in collaboration with Gapopin, is holding social service activities that include free eye health checks and eyeglass distribution for students,” he explained on Thursday (10/9).
Chairman of the Indonesian Optical Entrepreneurs Association (Gapopin), Soelianto Rusli, noted that this social initiative is a regular program and is being held today not only in Jakarta, but also in 21 other provinces throughout Indonesia.
“The quota for Jakarta is 2,000 pairs of eyeglasses to be distributed free of charge. Today, we're holding the event in North Jakarta, with around 774 students receiving free eye screenings and eyeglasses,” he stated.
According to him, refractive eye disorders in children are often caused by lifestyle factors, such as excessive screen time on gadgets or computers, as well as poor dietary habits, including a lack of vegetables and other healthy foods.
He hoped the program would help people detect vision issues early, particularly among children. In addition to the free eye checks, students were also given healthy meals.
“Children are our future, so protecting their health is essential. I hope this program truly benefits them and brings them joy,” he asserted.
