Batangtoru, 15 September 2022 – PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR), operator of Martabe Gold Mine, officially opened a series of free Cataract Screenings and Surgeries entitled Open Your Eyes To See the Beauty of the World. Held at Bhayangkara Hospital, Batangtoru, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, the first day of this event received 170 patients from around the mine area to undergo cataract screenings. This number was 50% higher than the initial prediction.
Hotna Hutagalung, 64 years old from Padangsidimpuan, expresses her happiness for being able to see clearly again after being afflicted with cataracts for five years. Initially, she did not have the courage to undergo the cataract surgery for fear that she could lose her sight. Courage to undergo the surgery came after hearing accurate information from a health worker in her village on cataract surgery. We all want to thank the people at Bhayangkara Hospital for another successful cataract surgery.
All praise is due to Allah that I can see clearly again. So, I don’t have to be escorted to the rice field, don’t plant the wrong seedlings, and don’t overcook again.
PTAR General Manager Operations Rahmat Lubis, CFO Noviandri Hakim, and Corporate Communications Senior Manager Katarina Siburian Hardono administered eye drops on a number of patients who had undergone cataract surgeries.
The cataract surgeries were performed three times at Bhayangkara Hospital, Batangtoru, South Tapanuli, and three times in Medan from September to November 2022. For this series of cataract surgeries, PTAR collborated with Mencirim Tujuh Tujuh Eye Hospital, Medan.
The inauguration of the cataract surgery was held at Bhayangkara Hospital, Batangtoru, Thursday 15 September 2022 and was later celebrated by the removal of bandages and the administration of eye drops by PTAR management on approximately 100 patients who had undergone the surgeries the day before.
PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) Director & CFO, Noviandri Hakim, delivered a speech at the opening of free eye screenings and cataract surgeries at Bhayangkara Hospital, Batangtoru, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, Thursday (15/9/2022). In addition to Batangtoru, free cataract surgeries are also held in Medan. (Doc: PTAR)
PTAR Director and CFO Noviandri Hakim delivers a speech at the opening of free eye screenings and cataract surgeries at Bhayangkara Hospital, Batangtoru, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, on Thursday September 15, 2022.
Noviandri Hakim, PTAR Director & CFO, said that the company organizes free cataract surgery as empowerment to live independently, to regain hope and joy in life:
We realise that cataracts are not only visual impairments, but also obstacles to being productive, to being prosperous, to living a long and fulfilling life. Therefore, every year since 2011, we have organized safe and free cataract surgeries.
Based on the Blindness Survey result of the 2014 – 2016 Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB), the prevalence of blindness in Indonesia reached 3%, while the prevalence of blindness due to cataracts in Indonesia was 1.9%. In North Sumatra, approximately 80% of blindness at the age of 50 and over is caused by cataracts. Step by step and together we can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Senior Manager Corporate Communications PTAR, Katarina Siburian Hardono, encourages the community to take advantage and disseminate the information of this free cataract surgery to the relatives or family as there are still second and third rounds.
Cataracts can be treated, and only with surgery. Let’s take this good opportunity to recover the sight of our families and friends, so that they are empowered and can be productive again. In addition to disbursement of funds, since the socialization period, from eye screening to surgery, Martabe Gold Mine has also deployed dozens of staff to become active volunteers and support the patients, so that they are better prepared to undergo the surgery.
Since 2011, this program has opened 8,118 eyes of 7,131 people who underwent the cataract surgeries with a 100% success rate.
Representing the Chief of North Sumatra Regional Police, the Head of Police Medical and Health Division of North Sumatra Regional Police, Police Great Commissioner Drg. Agustinus Mulyanto Hardi was present at the opening ceremony for the series of cataract surgeries.
In a speech, Police Chief Commissioner Drg. Agustinus Mulyanto Hardi praised PTAR’s consistent efforts in organizing free cataract surgery since 2011 and helping in recovering the sight of thousands of cataract patients:
Great appreciation to PTAR for having a very noble initiative to relieve the suffering of the people around Batangtoru, so that they, indeed, can see the beauty of the world again.
The opening of the series of free cataract surgeries was rounded off with the handover of assistance for the construction of building facilities at Bhayangkara Hospital from PTAR to the Regency Government of South Tapanuli. The assistance provided was in the form of a radiology room and mortuary as well as Wastewater Treatment Plant (IPAL), with the total assistance worth IDR 739 million.
The management of PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) took a photo with the Chief of the North Sumatra Regional Police, the Head of Police Medical and Health Division of North Sumatra Regional Police, Great Commissioner Drg. Agustinus Mulyanto Hardi and Head of Bhayangkara Hospital Level IV Batangtoru dr Tommy R SpOG and patients who had received free cataract surgeries held by PTAR, Thursday (15/9/2022).
