143rd Tzu Chi Health Service: The Return of the Long Lost Hope

Journalist : Khusnul Khotimah, Photographer : Khusnul Khotimah, Rafli Noval Diansyah (He Qi Cikarang)

The head of He Qi Cikarang, Veriyanto at the opening of the 143rd Tzu Chi Health Social Service, on Saturday, June 29 2024.

Yopi Rustandi (41) has regained his energy and optimism for life. It seemed that the cataract that caused his right eye's vision to deteriorate for seven years also diminished his zest for life. He felt so inadequate that his confidence had evaporated.

"What do you want to do after this?" asked Nurse Weni.

"Look for a job, ma'am," answered Yopi enthusiastically.

"Just a bit painful, nurse."

“Oh, that's normal, because it was cut. "I just have a pimple here, I squeezed it until I got a headache."

"Oh yes, yes," laughed Yopi.

“The results were so good, you didn't get any medication. " The Just continue with the previous medication," explained Nurse Weni.

Yopi's vision was only 1/300, as noted by the eye nurse from TIMA Indonesia, part of the Tzu Chi medical team, during the initial screening or examination. This implies that Yopi can only see one meter, and that's only light, whereas people with normal vision can see up to 300 meters.

The day following the surgery, Yopi's bandage was taken off, allowing him to see clearly three meters away. A fantastic beginning.

"Avoid contact with water, not even a single drop." If it gets wet, I'll flick it later; otherwise, it's okay”, Nurse Weni said.

"Yes, nurse," said Yopi, who was ready to follow all instructions so that the results of his eye surgery would be maximum.

Yopi, who looked lethargic on the day of the screening (June 22, 2024) and the day of the cataract surgery (June 29, 2024), was radiant when he removed the bandages on June 30, 2024. He returned to being a cheerful Yopi figure.

Yopi used to work at a factory in Cikarang. He is a resident of Karang Sentosa, Bekasi Regency. After cataracts, he was unable to work. His right eye's dark vision frequently causes him to feel lightheaded, even though his left eye is still clear.

“I really do not have money for medication, so I just tried to be patient. The only effect was that I became too lazy to work or do anything; I just wanted to lie down. "I could not sit for long; I felt dizzy," he stated.

One day, his friend told him that on Saturday, June 29, 2024, Sentra Medika Cikarang Hospital would be offering free cataract treatment. Sentra Medika Hospital, the Indonesian Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, and the Bekasi Metro Police worked together on this project, which also coincided with Bhayangkara's 78th anniversary.

After registering, Yopi went through screening, passed, and eventually had surgery. Yopi finally learned the cause of his cataracts in the operating room. The edge of the table struck his temple when he was in fifth grade of elementary school.

"My friend made a joke, then pushed me against the table, causing my temple to tear and need stitches. The effect just didn't show up until I was at work. That's why, during the procedure, the doctor asked me, "Have you ever gotten bumped?" Oh yes, I recalled," he remarked, "When I was in elementary school”.

Prepared to hail Days Brimming with hope

Nurse Weni was also happy to see the results of Yopi's eye surgery.

Yopi's patience is finally paying off. He's ready to return to work. If he can save, he is ready to start a family.

"I want to start a business first, then look for a wife, because I wasn't confident when I was in this situation before. Thank God, I can see again. Thank you very much. I hope that the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation continues to be blessed and help others. "This is a noble task," Yopi stated. Supriatna, his father, who accompanied him, was also extremely grateful.

Not only Yopi, but many others, were finally free of the shackles of cataracts. The 143rd Tzu Chi Health Social Service successfully treated 87 patients, including 83 cataract patients and four pterygium patients.

The patients listened to the education provided by Nurse Weni regarding post-operative eye care.

Doctor Ety, one of the ophthalmologists from TIMA Indonesia, checked the condition of the patient's eyes after removing the bandage.

The Tzu Chi Medical Team, or TIMA Indonesia, provided cataract treatment with the assistance of 6 ophthalmologists, 11 eye nurses, 1 refractionist, 5 lab analysts, 2 pharmacists, 2 pharmacist assistants, 24 nurses, and 7 general practitioners. The Tzu Chi medical team is the primary team for cataract treatment. Many parties, including the National Police health team and the Sentra Medika Cikarang Health Vocational School, contributed to the implementation.

A total of 54 Tzu Chi volunteers from Cikarang collaborated to ensure the success of this cataract treatment, beginning with screening, continuing through the day of surgery, and removing the bandage. This is He Qi Cikarang's second large-scale health service since 2017. The location is the same: Sentra Medika Cikarang Hospital.

"We Tzu Chi volunteers in Cikarang are very happy to be able to hold social service of this magnitude again. "So we can try to help people open their eyes and lighten the burden on cataract patients in particular," said Veriyanto, head of He Qi Cikarang.

President and Director of Sentra Medika Group, Eddy Suharso (second from right), and Commissioner Hery Wijatmoko (third from right), felt proud of the implementation of the 143rd Tzu Chi Health Service.

It is an extraordinary opportunity for the President and Director of Sentra Medika Group, Eddy Suharso, to be able to collaborate again with Tzu Chi Indonesia to provide cataract treatment. He stated, “This social service with Tzu Chi is humanitarian social service." We sincerely hope that this will not be interrupted because there are still many people who need it."

Commissioner Hery Wijatmoko, the Head of Health and Medical at Polda Metro Jaya, gave his approval to this cataract treatment, which has significant benefits in a person's life.

"This cataract surgery serves as a bridge to the outside world. How can a person with blurred vision, unable to see, be able to see again? "They are very grateful to God because they have the opportunity to see again," concluded Commissioner Hery Wijatmoko.

Editor: Atika (Tzu Chi School)