Commemorating the 60th anniversary, Universitas Gadjah Mada held social service entitled “Free Cataract Operation†in Puri Husada Hospital, Rejodani, Ngaglik, Sleman on Sunday (13/12). At least 305 registered patients waited in queue to be operated. Most of them were from Yogyakarta Special Region and several regions in Central Java such as Klaten, Solo, Magelang, Kebumen and Gombong.
The team leader of the operation, dr. JB. Soebroto said that 16 doctors and 16 assistants had been prepared to do the job. It was previously estimated, however, that they could only operate up to 100 patients. "Based on the availability of our devices and the number of doctors, we target at 100 patients. The rest will be operated on 23 December in the same hospital. Those who register that day, can be operated in that day too,†said the lecturer of Faculty of Medicine. Dr. JB Soebroto added that to ensure physical and psychological condition of the patients, the doctors diagnosed their health condition first. “Operation needs healthy mental and physical condition,†said Soebroto.
Soebroto said that this free cataract operation reduced the costs for patients. The doctors, however, did not select the patients whether from upper-middle class or not. They were mostly more than 60 years old and from low- middle class, and even there was one Dutch patient. Admitted by JB Soebroto, people were enthusiastic to follow this free operation so that he had not predicted that the number of patients would be that many which caused the operation unable to be held in just one day. The additional operation will be on 23 December.
One of the patient’s member of family, Rodiah, from Sedayu in Bantul, said that she was waiting for his father, Ahmad Wiyadi (65 years old), who was diagnosed. She hoped that his father could be operated that day. Rodiah said that his father has long had problems with his eyes so they thope that the operation can ease the family’s burden. Also attending in that event was the chief of the committee of the 60th of UGM anniversary, Dr. Bambang Purwono.