Eye donation is still lacking in Indonesia, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said on Thursday, while pointing out that it could be the answer to help those suffering from visual impairment.
Ma'ruf said 3 percent of the population were blind, according to the government’s data. Of those people, 4.5 percent are blind as a result of corneal damage.
“Corneal damage can be cured through eye donation. But the practice is still very rare in Indonesia,” he said in his speech during the virtual launch of the Cornea Donation Center (CDD) at Undaan Eye Hospital in Surabaya, East Java on Thursday as reported by kompas.com.
He commended the opening of the center, which he said was a response to manage visual impairment cases in the country. He expressed hope that the center would make it possible for residents, especially those living in Surabaya, to donate their corneas when they die.
He also urged the hospital to promote eye donation, as it is still considered a new thing, unlike blood drives, to increase people’s awareness to help the blind.
Ma'ruf further said it would be beneficial for everyone as one corneal donor could be used by five recipients.
“Right now, there are 70 hopeful donor recipients for one cornea across the world,” the senior Muslim cleric said, adding that those with visual impairment could get help if more people donated their corneas. (dpk)
