Danamon Holds Free Cataract Surgery in Sintang Regency to Contribute to Improving Community Quality of Life

Sintang, June 30, 2024 – PT Bank Danamon Indonesia Tbk (Danamon) demonstrates its commitment in supporting public health through its corporate social responsibility program. Danamon, in collaboration with PT Erela, is conducting free cataract surgeries for the Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan community. This activity is part of Danamon's ongoing efforts to improve the Indonesian people's quality of life.

Indonesia ranks second in the world, after Ethiopia, regarding the prevalence of blindness and vision impairment. According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health in 2017, the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) survey from 2014-2016 reported a blindness prevalence of 3% in 15 provinces in Indonesia, with cataracts being the leading cause (81%).

According to the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association (Perdami), cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in Indonesia. While cataracts themselves cannot be prevented, blindness caused by cataracts can be avoided through surgery. Another study in the Indonesian Public Health Journal 2018 estimated the prevalence of cataracts in West Kalimantan to be 23% among residents aged 50 and above.

Danamon views public health issues as a priority that must be addressed collectively. Danamon aims to improve health across various communities through its corporate social responsibility program. On this occasion, Danamon is collaborating with PT Erela, Danamon's partner in the pharmaceutical sector, to conduct free cataract surgeries for the community in Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan from July 1-5, 2024, at Ade Muhammad Djoen Sintang Regional Hospital.

The ceremony took place on June 30, 2024, which was attended by several officials and notable figures, including Sintang Deputy Regent Melkianus, Sintang Health Department Head Edy Harmaini, Ade Muhammad Djoen Sintang Regional Hospital Director Ridwan Tonny Hasiholan Pane, and a team of ophthalmologists from Perdami Yogyakarta FKKMK UGM – RSUP Sardjito. Meanwhile, Erela was attended by the Product Manager of PT Erela Andriani Tjahyaningsih Larosa, and representing the Danamon Branch Manager of Bank Danamon Sintang, Herna Susanti, and the Health Safety and Environment Specialist of Bank Danamon, Khairul Effendy.

This activity targets 100 patients who meet criteria such as being from low-income groups, not having BPJS health insurance, or having severe cataracts not yet covered by BPJS. Given the increased number of patients exceeding the previous target, Danamon and Erela are collaborating with medical staff from Sardjito Hospital Yogyakarta and the Faculty of Medicine, Gadjah Mada University Yogyakarta, to ensure smooth operations.

Abdul Hadi, Sustainability Finance Head of PT Bank Danamon Indonesia Tbk, stated, “Through various initiatives and programs, Danamon aspires to grow as a customer-centric organization continuously. As 'Your Preferred Bank,' we focus on sales and service excellence, strong synergy with partners, government, and communities, supported by world-class technology to provide the best financial solutions. We hope our corporate social responsibility activities today can help cataract patients regain their sight, improving their quality of life and their families.”

Through this program, Danamon hopes to contribute to overcoming the cataract problem in Indonesia, strengthen its brand image as an institution that cares about public health issues, and most importantly, help people in need to get their sight back. 

“PT Erela is a pharmaceutical company established in 1965 in Semarang. For 59 years, PT Erela has been committed to providing high-quality products at affordable prices. As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), PT Erela regularly organizes social activities, including free medical treatments, cataract surgeries, and other forms of support,” said Andriani Tjahyaningsih Larosa, Product Manager of PT Erela.

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