Reaching Out to Coastal Citizens

Tzu Chi volunteers were accompanying Amanah and his mother,Cucum while registering for cataract surgery on KRI dr. Soeharso ship.

The lack of health access in coastal areas has made the Tzu Chi Health Social Service on three islands: Pulo Panjang, Pulau Tunda, and Ujung Kulon very anticipated by the residents.

"It's a relief, delighted to see it. I have been thinking for a long time how to do (surgery) to cure my child. Now we're given a way (operation)," said Cucum while wiping her tears in the recovery room.

Cucum accompanied her baby, Amanah (8) who underwent cleft lip surgery on the 120th Tzu Chi Health Social Service on KRI dr. Soeharso ship leaning on the Port of Merak, Cilegon, Banten.

In fact, when Amanah was 1 year old, his parents were eager to treat his cleft lip. But due to the family's poor economic condition, the intention of Amanah's treatment was halted. What can be done, my job is only a casual worker," said the father, Ajot Sarjah (42).

Casual worker's income is also uncertain, only if anyone asks for his services then Sarjah works. He also gave an example when working as a rice harvest laborer. "If it becomes a kebot (threshing rice by shaking the tree - red), the pay is 70-75 thousand per quintal," Sarjah said.Instead of saving, this income are all spent to meet  family needs.

Amanah is currently a 2nd grader in SDN Kadubera II Pandegelang, Banten. She is a quiet girl, but she can interact well with his peers. "She often plays with her friends at school," said Cucum. Even so, Amanah tends to be embarrassed to communicate with other people, especially if using Indonesian language. In her daily life, she tends to use Sundanese. "It's saddening, as a child with disorder, (she sometimes) get taunted by her friends," said Cucum.

On Sarjah's lap, Amanah's blood sample was taken by the medical team of 120th Tzu Chi Social Service in Merak-Cilegon port.

The youngest daughter of Sarjah and Cucum has now been successfully operated on Monday, September 26, 2017. Her parents' sadness has changed into unfathomable happiness. With tears in his eyes, Sarjah expressed his joy. "Alhamdulillah, I feel overjoyed. Thanks to the help, there is hope for my daughter's future. Hopefully Amanah can continue going to school and talk clearly," he said.

Health Services on Island

In addition to social service for cataracts, pterygium, harelip, hernia and local minor for three days (September 26 - 28, 2017) in CilegonBanten, Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) of Indonesia together with TNI Task Force also held health social service commemorating the 72nd anniversary of TNI in three islands: PuloPanjang, PulauTunda, and Ujung Kulon, Banten. In this social service, the medical team perform general health examination, teeth, and khitan (circumcision).

The poor access to health care in archipelagos has indeed become an obstacle. Most residents carry high blood pressure, aches, and some are complaining of hearing problems due to diving too deep into the sea. Doctors explain that the pressure of sea water disturbs fishermen's hearing. This is also agreed upon by Darmin who has been a fisherman for 30 years, "I rarely used any tool while fish hunting,  I dive directly into the water." He admitted the older he grew, the more he lost his ability to hear.

Those mentioned illness are often suffered by citizens who live in coastal areas. Treatment is actually quite simple if there are any adequate health facilities, such as health centers and doctors who settled on the island. But unfortunately, unevenly distributed health facilities lead to residents having to wait for a certain time to check their health condition. "Yes, ideally there have to a doctor staying or stopping by the island maybe once or  twice a week so they can nurture the community to a healthier life," said dr. Ruth, the coordinator of Tzu Chi Health Social Service.

In the pouring rain, Tzu Chi volunteers commenced the second day of 120th Tzu Chi Social Service on dr. Soeharso ship, (27/9/17).

Tzu Chi volunteers assisted residents in the 120th Tzu Chi Health Social Service in collaboration with TNI,commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the TNI, on Tunda Island, Serang, Banten.

Moreover, health social services cannot be the only thing relied upon as it is held very rarely and only occasionally. "Health education should be done more in the future so that citizens do not rely solely on doctors for examination. But as long as we can help through our missions, we will do it as well as possible," added dr. Ruth.

First Admiral drg. Nora Lelyana, Kadiskes AL, admitted that she was pleased to see how enthusiastic the citizens are, waiting for the social service. "We are here to realize our dream as not only one institute, but all contribute. We realize that we are part of the society, together with them, helping them and always trying to reach out to them by the means we have," he said. He also expressed his gratitude to all parties who assist in the implementation of social service, including the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation of Indonesia

The medical team of social service on the island from September 22-24, 2017 has successfully served as many as 950 general patients, 157 dental patients, and 65 circumcisions. Whereas the 120th Tzu Chi Health Social Service in Cilegon, Banten (September 26 - 28th) on the second day has successfully provided treatment services to 8 patients with hernia, 45 cleft lip, 46 surgery, 89 cataract, 4 pterygium and 568 circumcision.

Translator : Ilena Sevalona

Editor : Henky Sasmita (Tzu Chi School)