The Central Java Provincial Government officially launched the Inclusive System for Effective Eye Care (I-SEE) program to curb the prevalence of blindness in its region. This strategic initiative designates Purbalingga, Banjarnegara, and Wonosobo Regencies as pilot locations to integrate eye care services that are more comprehensive and easily accessible to the public.
Head of the Central Java Provincial Health Office, Zulfachmi Wahab, explained that cataract prevalence in the region reached 2.4 percent, with the disease accounting for 80 percent of primary blindness causes. Zulfachmi highlighted a major obstacle faced, namely low health literacy, which leads to 60 percent of blindness cases receiving delayed medical treatment. Therefore, public education serves as a main pillar in this strategy.
The I-SEE program implements four core strategies: community empowerment through early detection, optimization of services at community health centers (puskesmas), efficient hospital referral systems, and rigorous monitoring systems. Zulfachmi emphasized the importance of early intervention, especially in cataract cases, to prevent eye conditions from worsening and making medical procedures more complex.
Executive Director of YSKK, Iwan Setiyoko, stated that the selection of the three pilot regencies was based on in-depth needs assessments and strong commitment from local governments. This cross-sector synergy is expected to create a sustainable eye care model that can be replicated in other regions across Central Java.
In addition to medical aspects, healthcare facility accessibility is also receiving serious attention through the involvement of disability organizations. Country Director of CBM Global Indonesia, Marisa Kristianah, emphasized that public facilities, including community health centers and hospitals, must be equipped with disability-friendly accessibility such as ramps and specialized toilets. This is a concrete step to ensure healthcare services are truly inclusive for all segments of society.
The public is encouraged not to worry about undergoing medical procedures, as cataract surgery is now far more efficient, taking approximately 15 minutes with a short recovery period. Furthermore, full integration with the BPJS Kesehatan program ensures that all these service packages can be accessed free of charge, particularly for residents in areas that have achieved 100 percent Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
