Jakarta (ANTARA) – Out of 34 million citizens screened under Indonesia’s Free Health Check program, approximately 1.6 million of them showed suspected vision impairments, an official said.
Indonesia’s Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono revealed here on Thursday, during the World Sight Day 2026, that three percent of students have vision disorders, while four percent of the general population experiences eye problems of which three percent specifically due to cataracts.
Addressing the global toll of 1.1 billion visually impaired people, Harbuwono outlined three key strategies to strengthen national eye health.
Those three strategies were expanding routine screenings in schools and clinics, resolving BPJS insurance coverage impasses for cataract surgeries, and redistributing ophthalmologists away from major cities to underserved regions.
Related news: School health units link to free health check follow-up: Ministry
“Do not wait until our eyes feel heavy, blurry, or painful,” Dante urged, recommending the 20-20-20 rule—resting eyes every 20 minutes for 20 seconds by looking 20 feet away—to prevent strain.
To expand access, the ministry is partnering with The Fred Hollows Foundation on a three-year initiative across five provinces.
Amanda Huang, the foundation’s Chief of Programs & Partnerships, announced plans to train over 2,000 healthcare workers and teachers, screen 60,000 students and workers, fund over 6,500 cataract surgeries, and distribute 10,000 pairs of glasses.
The foundation will also establish 13 new eye care centers, upgrade 21 existing facilities, and run diabetic retinopathy screenings across 12 health centers in Bali.
“We want to work in Indonesia as a trusted partner supported by government technical expertise,” Huang said.
Related news: Indonesia’s free health checks reach 82 million participants
Translator: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicakson
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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