Medan, 9 September 2024 – PT Agincourt Resources, the operator of Martabe Gold Mine, successfully organized a series of free cataract surgery in 2024 by restoring the vision of 1,602 cataract eyes of 1,531 people in North Sumatra. This figure is one of the highest during the 10 years of the free cataract surgery program “Open Your Eyes, See the Beauty of the World” which began in 2011.
Therefore, the total number of cataract eyes that have undergone cataract surgery organized by Martabe Gold Mine during the past 10 years has reached 12,173 eyes of 10,684 people.
Director & Chief Financial Officer of PT Agincourt Resources, Noviandri, said that the free cataract surgery program affirms PT Agincourt Resources’ (PTAR) commitment to improving the quality of life of the community and promoting visual health in North Sumatra. This is congruent with the 3rd Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focusing on the health and well-being of people of all ages.
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“The success of this cataract surgery is thanks to the support of the community and the regional and provincial governments, the hard work of the medical team, and our ongoing commitment to supporting efforts to reduce blindness due to cataracts in North Sumatra,” said Noviandri when closing the 2024 Free Eye Examination and Cataract Surgery Series at Mencirim 77 Hospital, Medan, Monday (9/9/2024).
He added that the free cataract surgery program is one form of implementation of PTAR’s Social and Environmental Responsibility (SER) activities in the health pillar which is carried out consistently and continuously.
It is evident that since 2011, thousands of people from various regions in North Sumatra have benefited from the program, receiving eye health education, eye examinations, cataract surgeries, and post-operative monitoring. This program will continue in the years to come.
Senior Manager of Corporate Communications of PT Agincourt Resources, Katarina Siburian Hardono, added that the series of the 2024 cataract surgeries were initially allocated for 1,300 cataract eyes. However, due to the great enthusiasm of the community, the Company increased the quota of cataract eyes that were operated on.
“The great enthusiasm of the community was already seen when we held cataract surgery in Batang Toru last July. There were more than 1,000 eyes, approaching the initial target. The high enthusiasm and commitment of the Company to improving public health encouraged us to increase the quota of cataract eyes to be operated on and have the opportunity to see the beauty of the world again,” said Katarina.
The 10th series of Free Cataract Examinations and Surgeries in 2024 involved ophthalmologists from Mencirim 77 Eye Hospital in Medan. This year’s series was held 15 times and spread across three locations, namely Batang Toru Public Health Center in the Company’s operational area in South Tapanuli on 20-21 July, 24-25 July, and 2-3 August; Siantar Eye Hospital in Pematangsiantar on 27-31 August; and Mencirim 77 Medan Eye Hospital on 5-8 September.
Acting Head of the North Sumatra Health Agency, Basarin Yunus Tanjung, also expressed his appreciation for PTAR’s efforts in reducing the prevalence of cataract blindness in North Sumatra, including educational efforts by sharing information on eye health and cataract management through a talk show held on 9 September 2024.
“Agincourt Resources’ participation is extraordinary because over the past 10 years, approximately the vision of 12,000 eyes has been restored. We encourage Agincourt Resources to continue collaborating with the government to provide health services to the community,” he said.
The closing ceremony of the series of free cataract surgery was also attended by the Coordinator of the Mining Inspector of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources for the North Sumatra Region, Suroyo. He expressed his appreciation to PTAR as a mining company that has consistently implemented the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).
“We continue to support mining companies to hold activities for the community. Not only for South Tapanuli, Agincourt Resources has provided benefits in supporting healthier human development in North Sumatra for an advanced Indonesia,” said Suroyo.
There were many happy stories experienced by cataract sufferers after undergoing cataract surgery. One of them, Mustofa Harahap (9 years old) who just underwent cataract surgery at Mencirim 77 Medan Hospital on Sunday (8/9/2024). Accompanied by his parents, he traveled almost 12 hours from their home in Angkola Sangkunur, South Tapanuli, to Medan. The goal is one which is to remove Mustofa’s cataracts.
“Yesterday, I underwent surgery. I wasn’t afraid. It was in fact quick and painless. Once my eyes are clear, I want to play football again, and I can read textbooks clearly later,” he said.
Not only Mustofa, Amrin (58 years old), a resident of Pantai Labu District, Deli Serdang, admitted that he was happy to undergo cataract surgery. For five years, Amrin, who works at a chicken farm, has suffered from cataracts. As a result, his daily activities were quite disrupted, even though he is the sole breadwinner for his family. “After this surgery, my vision will definitely be clearer, I can work better, see other people clearly, and I can ride a motorbike to work,” he said.
