The 143rd Tzu Chi Health Social Service: Mujono's Decade-Long Effort to Regain Sight

Journalist : Khusnul Khotimah, Photographer : Khusnul Khotimah

Chief Police Brigadier Supriyanto sincerely accompanied Mujono for cataract treatment during the 143^rd Tzu Chi Health Social Service at Medika Cikarang Hospital.

Carefully, Chief Police Brigadier Supriyanto held the hand of Mujono (46) whom could not see, and guided him to the screening room. Others might have thought that the person he was assisting was his family member, but that was not the case. As a community police officer of Telaga Asih Sub-District, West Cikarang, he was carrying out his duty that morning by accompanying residents in his area for cataract treatments at Sentra Medika Hospital.

In the screening room, it turned out Supriyanto was not the only one. There were other community police officers carrying out the same duty. Some were accompanying three to four residents.

The 143^rd Tzu Chi Social Health Service was a collaboration between Tzu Chi Indonesia, Metro Bekasi Police Station, and Sentra Medika Hospital. The patient screening was greatly assisted by the Metro Bekasi Police Station. Police Commissioner Saeful, The Head of Vital Object Security Unit of Metro Bekasi Police Station, elaborated that, what these community police officers were doing was part of their core duties as police officers, namely to protect, guide, and serve the community.

These police officers carried out those duties in their respective areas. They collected data and searched for cataract patients,” he explained.

The community police officers who were on duty accompanying patients took the opportunity to take a photo with Tzu Chi and TIMA Indonesia volunteers.

Ten Years Without Sight

For the past ten years, Mujono had not been able to see the light of the world. Previously, he was a tough mechanic who had worked in a steel factory in Cikarang for 22 years. His job involved welding a working 12 hours a day. Although his eyes often felt tired, he frequently pushed himself.

One day when he was accompanying his wife shopping, he felt a stinging pain on his left eye. Since his right eye sight was still clear, he continued to work. At the same time, he sought treatment from many hospitals, incurring significant costs. Gradually, his left eye experienced the same issue. As it worsened, Mujono was referred to Cicendo Eye Hospital in Bandung.

“It was such an immense struggle for him as he needed to do weekly check-up,” said Indarti, his wife.

“My manager wanted to offer me early retirement but was hesitant. ‘It’s up to you whether you want to retire early or to continue working’,” Mujono recounted.

His limited vision did not make Mujono to sit idly by. He tried to help his wife to earn a living.

Mujono then applied for early retirement for it was not longer feasible for him to work. He received a severance pay of 80 million Rupiah which he used for medical treatment. At Cicendo Hospital, he underwent three surgeries on his left eye. The first operation initially showed improvement but soon worsened, the second was for cataract removal, and the third involved laser treatment, which ultimately made his condition worsened.

“The biggest shock was when the doctor said ‘Sir, this is as far as we can treat you, there is no other way unless you can go to Singapore.” The cost at the time was 150 million Rupiah for one eye. Since I couldn’t afford it, I resigned myself to the situation,” continued Mujono.

That was during the first year. For the next nine years, Mujono tried to stay strong. There was a time when he felt devastated for about 5 months. He didn’t isolate himself. In fact, he channeled his passion for birds by selling contest birds.

While his wife sold snacks at their home terrace, Mujono helped by washing their clothes, sweeping and mopping the floor, and washing dishes. Mujono also earned income by making bamboo satay skewers.

“Sometimes we send 5-20 thousand skewers in one batch. So I cut the bamboo and shave them. Alhamdulilah, I can still manage,” he said.

Financial needs forced Mujono and Indarti to think hard in order to support their three children. Since Indarti used to work in a laundry, they opened their own laundry business a year ago. Impressively, Mujono was in charge of washing and drying the clothes, and not a single customer’s item ever got mixed up.

“We place the clothes in separate baskets, finish one person’s laundry before moving on to someone else’s. Even the drying area is divided, from here to there is just for one person’s clothes,” explained Indarti whose main task was ironing. This was how Mujono spend his days.

What Matters the Most is to Keep Striving

Mujono right before going into surgery.

Mujono felt deeply moved after his eye surgery.

One night, Mujono received a call from Supriyanto informing him about the upcoming cataract treatment at Sentra Medika Hospital., part of the 78^th Bhayangkara Anniversary (Indonesia National Police Anniversary). Initially, Mujono was hesitant since all the three surgeries that he had undergone were in vain. But Supriyanto encouraged him to give it a try.

“I said as long as we make an effort to seek treatment, then we should try, see which one works. It might be your good fortune along with Bhayangkara anniversary and you can recover,” said Supriyanto. Mujono then agreed.

Friday morning, on 28June 2024, Supriyanto picked Mujono up from his home and accompanied him for screening. The examined eye was the right eye, which had never undergone surgery before. The results showed that Mujono could proceed with the surgery.

“Alhamdulilah, I am happy. For 10 years, it felt like a dead end. Hopefully this will be a breakthrough, the beginning of my recovery,” he remarked.

Saturday, 29 June, Mujono with other 86 patients underwent surgeries. Mujono tears were falling down when he left Sentra Medika Cikarang Hospital. He could no longer hold back his emotions.

Mujono when his bandage was being opened.

“Whoever sows kindness will reap kindness in return, so we should always do good to anyone, anywhere,” said Supriyanto who accompanied Mujono for three days.

When they opened Mujono’s bandage on Sunday, 30 June 2024, Indarti also came along. In addition, Supriyanto was also there. A nurse cleaned his eye and administered eye drops. Post-operation recovery can take several weeks for the results of the surgery to start showing, depending on each patient’s condition.

Happiness was evident on Mujono’s face. “Whatever the outcome, I will accept. Perhaps it’s what Allah willed, what matters is that I have made an effort,” Mujono said.

“I feel happy that Mr. Mujono could undergo the surgery. I hope the result will be satisfactory,” said Supriyanto.

Witnessing the happiness on the patients’ faces, Dr. Karmelita Satari, SpM, felt truly grateful. At the age of 63, she continued to dedicate herself for humanity. “If we are still healthy and able to work, working is an honor,” she stated.

Translator: Putri (Tzu Chi Palembang)