Social Minister Risma Entertains And Provides Aid To Seriously Sick Children In Sunter

JAKARTA - Social Minister Tri Rismaharini provided assistance to nine children suffering from serious illnesses at the Respek Peduli Shelter Foundation in Sunter, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta.

The nine children suffered from various diseases ranging from leukemia, bone cancer, leaky heart, kidney failure to liver damage.

"Assistance for children, some we give laptops, some ask for cellphones, because children are still in school and access online," said Risma in Jakarta, Tuesday, January 18.

Risma also donated compensation to the Respek Peduli Shelter Foundation, which came from the Directorate of Management of Social Aid Fund Resources. He said the children in the foundation needed transportation, because they came from various regions.

In addition, the foundation requires an ambulance to take the children who need medical treatment to the hospital. For this reason, Risma said that her party could help with the availability of ambulances when needed at any time to ease the operational burden of the foundation.

The Ministry of Social Affairs provided assistance in the form of basic food packages and nutrition and diapers for the children from Balai Galih Pakuan Bogor, West Java.

To the children who are undergoing medical treatment, Risma advised them to always be happy. Because, having fun will make the sick body function healthy again.

"You can't be sad, you have to be happy. You promise to be happy, because with you being happy, your body functions will return," he said.

Risma admitted that she came to find a child who received aid with kidney failure named Aulia Alfina Febriyanti (13), when she was reviewing the post-earthquake conditions in Pandeglang Regency, Banten, Monday (17/1).

However, when Risma was planning to meet Aulia, apparently she and children with serious illnesses were at the Sunter Care Shelter Foundation, North Jakarta.

Risma thanked the media crew for notifying the whereabouts of the children who needed help, as well as the foundation for handling their care.

On the other hand, the supervisor of the Respek Peduli Rumah Singgah Foundation, Rian Putra hopes that the assistance and donations provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs can be used for the operation and care of children during treatment in Jakarta.

Rian said their condition was very complex. Because for treatment it is already covered by social security, but the costs while in Jakarta are not visible but large.

"There are those who come to Jakarta, run out of money, suddenly go home but their children are not healthy. We hope that the shelter is free for regional patients, helping them while in Jakarta," he said.