As many as 100 underprivileged citizens in Central Jakarta participated in the free medical treatment and surgery of cataract in Gatot Subroto Army Central Hospital (RSPAD) that sponsored by a famous herb company.

Cataract is the beginning of blindness, so it can' t be ignored

"The free cataract surgery for underprivileged citizens should be appreciated. Moreover, cataract sufferers in Indonesia still occupy the top position in Asean. It is concomitant with the government vision th at in 2020, Indonesia could be free from cataract," said Central Jakarta Mayor, Arifin, Wednesday (7/29).

However, Arifin deplored there are still many sufferers who are reluctant to check their eyes in health centers. Because some health centers in Central Jakarta are already able to do the surgery.

"Cataract is the beginning of blindness, so it can't be ignored. Therefore, we will eventually make Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) thus such social event could be held continuously," he explained.

Head of Central Jakarta Social Welfares Division, Eddy Suryaman added those 100 sufferers were the results of data collection conducted by Family Welfare Movement (PKK) team along with the sub-district and urban village heads.

"Based on the data collection results, the number of cataract sufferers ifs 120 people. There are 100 patients have the surgery today, while the rests have to undergo medical check-up, as some of them suffering diabetes," he explained.