BANTEN — The BWI-Dompet Dhuafa Achmad Wardi Eye Hospital (RSAW) – the first waqf-based eye hospital in Asia – has successfully held several social service programmes with a focus on cataract treatment. This attracted the voluntrip participants consisting of influencers, bloggers, and media to visit RSAW located in Lontarbaru, Serang City, as well as the social service location in Panjang Island, which took place on 18-19 October 2024.
During this visit, 25 participants were invited to see first-hand the process of eye health services provided by RSAW, especially for underprivileged communities. One of RSAW’s flagship programmes is free cataract surgery which is routinely performed every day, including on weekends.
Arriving at RSAW, the participants of the visit entitled ‘Explore with Heart: Small Act, Big Impact’ started with a sharing session with Dr Pradipta Suarsyaf as Director of RSAW, and Prima Hadi Putra as Head of Dompet Dhuafa’s Waqf Investment Development Institute (LPIW). On this occasion, Dompet Dhuafa wants to invite participants to start small things that can have a big impact.
During the session, Prima Hadi Putra explained that RSAW is the first waqf-based eye hospital in Asia. The hospital was built by utilising waqf funds from Dompet Dhuafa’s endowers and the Indonesian Waqf Board (BWI). For him, waqf is the ultimate act of worship. Prima emphasised that Dompet Dhuafa manages waqf with a two-pronged approach, namely social and commercial productively.
‘Of course, we hope that this special worship is widely understood by the community. Even though it is a small amount, maybe only the price of a cup of coffee, the benefits are enormous and will continue to flow forever,’ Prima said.
On the same occasion, Dr Pradipta added that RSAW is the first in the world in this category and now has various excellent services, including Cataract Centre, Retina Centre, Glaucoma Centre, Infection, and Immunology Centre. The last three services are the only eye services in Banten. By utilising the waqf surplus, RSAW is able to provide free cataract surgery services for the non-BPJS poor. The hospital has a variety of the best medical facilities.
‘Alhamdulillah, from the many free cataract surgeries for the community, they said that they were happy and greatly helped. We also strive to honour the beneficiaries by providing the best service to them,’ he explained.
The presence of the Retina Centre and Glaucoma Centre at RSAW is the result of the implementation of Cash Waqf Linked Sukuk (CWLS) SW001 in 2020. In addition, Dompet Dhuafa also combines many linked fund instruments, including social funds. From there, RSAW is able to reach more patients who cannot afford it.
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Yes, RSAW’s excellence lies in its ability to provide free cataract surgery services for the poor who are not registered with BPJS. RSAW provides a quota of free cataract surgery every day, with a minimum number of one person, so that in a month it can serve 40 to 50 poor patients.
In addition, RSAW also actively organises social service actions in remote areas of Banten, which include cataract screening for residents who have limited access to health services. After the screening, RSAW provides free surgery services and covers the cost of transport and accommodation for the patients.
Attendees also had the opportunity to have an eye examination using modern equipment and consult directly with an ophthalmologist.
The next day, Saturday (19/10/2024) morning, the participants, the Dompet Dhuafa Team, and RSAW continued their journey to Panjang Island, one of the target locations of the social service programme. The journey was taken by boat from Grenyang Harbour, Serang Regency and took about 20 minutes.
Panjang Island, Pulo Panjang Village, Pulo Ampel Sub-district, is the location where on 14 August 2024, the RSAW Team screened 60 residents. As a result, 28 people were found to be cataract positive and in need of immediate surgery. On 24 September 2024, the surgery for these patients was successfully performed, and they are now experiencing improved vision.
The large number of cataract cases in coastal communities, said Dr Pradipta, is the background for the screening and treatment. Fishing communities, which are exposed to UV rays every day, are at high risk of vision impairment.
‘Our commitment is to eradicate cataracts and reduce the risk of blindness, especially in Banten,’ he said.
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During this visit, the participants also had the opportunity to interact with the beneficiaries of the social service programme, the majority of whom are fishermen who depend on eye health for their livelihood. On Panjang Island, health facilities are limited to the Puskesdes, requiring residents to travel long distances for further treatment.
The visit not only highlighted Dompet Dhuafa’s dedication to healthcare, but also the importance of collaboration between the waqf and healthcare sectors in improving the welfare of disadvantaged communities.
Dompet Dhuafa and RSAW are committed to continuing to develop social programmes that have a positive impact on society, especially in the health sector. With the support of various parties, it is hoped that more people can be helped and get access to quality health services. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika