Saturday, 06 June 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – Governor of North Sumatra, Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on an eye care support network with Cicendo Eye Hospital in Bandung. The agreement marks a strategic initiative by the provincial government to strengthen healthcare services, particularly in the field of ophthalmology.
The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in the governor's office at Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro No. 30, Medan.Improving Healthcare Services as a Key Priority
Governor Bobby Nasution underlined that the collaboration aligns with North Sumatra's healthcare priorities. After expanding public access to medical services, the provincial government is now shifting its focus toward improving service quality.He emphasized that strengthening healthcare infrastructure remains a central agenda, including hospitals, community health centers, and regional general hospitals (RSUD).
"This MoU is part of our efforts to optimize hospital services, especially in North Sumatra's eye hospital system," Bobby said.
Cicendo Eye Hospital Strengthens Medical Expertise
Cicendo Eye Hospital in Bandung, recognized as a national referral center for ophthalmology, will serve as the key partner in this program. Hospital Director Antonia Kartika explained that the collaboration focuses on enhancing the capacity of medical personnel in North Sumatra, particularly ophthalmologists and nurses.She noted that the program has already begun with online scientific training sessions. It will be followed by workshops involving eye doctors from around 49 hospitals across North Sumatra, as well as ophthalmic nursing staff. The initiative will also include hands-on surgical assistance for cataract procedures.
Beyond strengthening medical expertise, the program aims to help reduce Indonesia's relatively high blindness rate, estimated at around three percent.
The initiative targets major causes of blindness, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma."We are implementing this program to reduce blindness cases, especially those caused by cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and other eye diseases," Kartika said. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
