Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises and Pertamina Initiate Health Eye Literacy Education for the Future

Jakarta, October 10, 2023 — To commemorate of World Sight Day 2023, the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, in collaboration with PT Pertamina (Persero), has launched a movement to promote literacy in eye health education. This initiative is driven by research published in the Ophthalmology journal, which predicts that nearly half of the world's population (approximately 5 billion people) will suffer from nearsightedness by 2050. Moreover, one-fifth of them (one billion people) will face a significantly increased risk of blindness if current trends persist.

According to this research, it is projected that by 2050, one in ten individuals will be at risk of blindness. Myopia is the leading cause of permanent blindness worldwide. Parents are encouraged to have their children's eyes regularly examined, increase outdoor activities, and reduce time spent on close-up activities, including electronic devices.

Myopia, also known as 'nearsightedness' or 'shortsightedness,' causes individuals to have difficulty seeing distant objects. Two billion people are estimated to suffer from myopia worldwide, and this number is rapidly increasing.

"Eye health literacy education is crucial for preventing vision impairments in the future," stated Arya Sinulingga, Special Staff III of the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, on October 8, 2023.

"Daily, all of us, whether parents or children, are constantly using our smartphones, often for more than 10 hours a day, which has the potential to strain our eyes, leading to nearsightedness or other vision problems," he emphasized.

Therefore, Arya continued, the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises has initiated eye examinations and cataract surgeries in collaboration with state-owned enterprises as a preventive measure and part of educational literacy efforts to help the public maintain eye health and protect children from vision impairments.

"The eye health literacy education program must be sustained, and I invite Indonesia Healthcare Corporation (IHC) as the Holding Company for State-Owned Hospitals and other state-owned enterprises to join in realizing this program for a healthier future," he added.

Pertamina introduced Edi Karyanto as Senior Vice President of Upstream & Portfolio Co. Business Development & Portfolio, Fajriyah Usman as Vice President of CSR, and Dr. Mira Dyah Wahyuni, MARS, as the CEO of PT Pertamina Bina Medika IHC. Additionally, Dr. Antonia Kartika Indriati, SpM(K), the CEO of RS Mata Cicendo, delivered an inspiring opening speech highlighting the improvement of healthcare services for the community in Bandung.

During the same occasion, Dr. Mira Dyah Wahyuni, MARS, CEO of IHC, expressed that this is a collective commitment to raise the standards of eye health in society in honor of World Sight Day.

Fadjar Djoko Santoso, Vice President of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero), added that this CSR initiative is not just about assisting but also marks the beginning of a broader vision for impactful CSR initiatives in the future. Pertamina, as a world-class national energy company, acknowledges the need for strong collaboration between the company and the community to shape a better tomorrow.

"Starting with a deep understanding of the importance of eye health and the threat of cataract disease, we hope that this event will not only provide physical treatment but also enlighten the public about preventive measures to preserve and enhance vision quality," he stated.

The initiative includes 100 elderly and senior citizens receiving eye examinations, 25 cataract surgery patients, 5 recipients of Retinoblastoma support, and 100 schoolchildren receiving eyeglass assistance. These beneficiaries include disabled friends of Pertamina's Sobat Istimewa program.

This initiative reflects Pertamina's concern for all segments of society, especially the most vulnerable.

The CSR program carried out in collaboration with the community is an ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) commitment manifestation. Additionally, this program contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, and Goal 4: Quality Education.

This collaboration involves strategic partnership stakeholders, with RS Mata Cicendo, the National Eye Center, serving as the event venue, creating a positive synergy between the private sector and the government. It also underscores the role of hospitals as true partners in bridging access to quality eye healthcare services.

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**