Batu City, September 5, 2026 — A year after opening its doors to the community, the IshK Tolaram Eye Centre in Batu City marked its first anniversary with a renewed commitment to improving access to eye care.

The anniversary gathering, held on Saturday afternoon at the centre on Jalan Indragiri, Pesanggrahan Village, also witnessed the official introduction of Rotary International Global Grant 2578235, a program expected to strengthen ophthalmology services and extend their reach to communities with limited access to quality eye care.

The event brought together Batu Mayor Nurochman, S.H., M.H., the local military commander, representatives of the city's social and health services, the district head, IshK Tolaram Foundation management and staff, the centre's Founder, invited guests, and members of Rotary International's People of Action network. A number of international delegates also attended the occasion, reflecting the growing scope of cooperation surrounding the centre's humanitarian work.

A New Phase in Eye Care Collaboration

The launch of Global Grant 2578235 became one of the central moments of the anniversary celebration.

The grant is part of Rotary International's global humanitarian initiative, involving cooperation between Rotary clubs from different countries. Through the program, the participating organizations aim to support eye health initiatives based on community needs while promoting sustainable and measurable healthcare interventions.

For the IshK Tolaram Eye Centre, the initiative is expected to provide additional momentum in delivering both preventive and curative eye care, particularly to people who face financial or geographical barriers to accessing ophthalmology services.

Director of the IshK Tolaram Eye Centre, Dr. Rahmat Setiawan, said the centre's first year represented more than simply reaching a one-year operational milestone.

According to him, the period has demonstrated how the centre's healthcare services have continued to develop while responding to the needs of patients with different eye conditions.

"During our first year, we have treated hundreds of patients with various ophthalmological conditions, including refractive problems and cataracts. The arrival of Global Grant 2578235 gives us an opportunity to further strengthen our ability to provide appropriate and accessible treatment," Dr. Rahmat said.

IshK Tolaram Foundation Highlights Long-Term Impact

The same commitment was emphasized by Dr. Shahul Hameed, a Board Member of the IshK Tolaram Foundation.

He praised the contribution of the medical team, management, partners, and other stakeholders involved in developing the eye centre. He said the foundation's philanthropic programs are intended not only to respond to immediate medical needs but also to create measurable and lasting benefits for communities.

"Eye health is closely connected to the long-term quality of human resources. Supporting people in maintaining or restoring their vision can have consequences far beyond the medical treatment itself," Dr. Shahul explained.

He added that Global Grant 2578235 would become one of the instruments supporting the foundation's broader humanitarian objectives in the field of eye health.

The ranks of local government officials and IshK

Batu Government Welcomes International Partnership

Batu Mayor Nurochman also welcomed the contribution of the IshK Tolaram Foundation and Rotary International to the city's healthcare development.

He said the availability of ophthalmology services meeting international standards was an important addition to Batu's efforts to improve public health, particularly in reducing avoidable vision loss.

The mayor stressed that improving healthcare access requires cooperation between government institutions, private organizations, community groups, and international humanitarian partners.

"The Batu City Government is committed to maintaining cooperation with various stakeholders, including the private sector and international humanitarian organizations, so that access to healthcare can become more equitable for the community," Nurochman said.

He also underlined the importance of cross-sector collaboration in responding to health challenges that cannot be addressed by a single institution alone.

Free Cataract Surgery Becomes Part of the Centre's Mission

The first year of operation has also been marked by programs designed to help residents affected by vision problems.

Among the services provided are free cataract surgery programs conducted regularly. For patients suffering from cataracts, restoring vision can have an impact not only on their health but also on their ability to work, interact with family members, and participate in everyday social activities.

The centre's experience during its first year is therefore regarded as an important foundation for expanding future services.

With Global Grant 2578235 now being introduced, the IshK Tolaram Eye Centre expects to reach a wider group of beneficiaries requiring comprehensive eye care.

The program is also expected to contribute to the development of local healthcare personnel through training, skills development, and knowledge-sharing activities. Such capacity-building is intended to ensure that the benefits of the program continue beyond individual medical interventions.

Looking Beyond Batu City

Mayor Nurochman expressed hope that the new grant would eventually strengthen eye health services not only within Batu City but also throughout the wider Malang area.

He said equitable access to eye treatment should be available regardless of a person's economic circumstances.

The anniversary celebration concluded with a symbolic launch of Global Grant 2578235, followed by a tour of the IshK Tolaram Eye Centre's facilities.

The participation of international guests added another dimension to the occasion, demonstrating the potential for Batu City to become part of a broader network of international cooperation in ophthalmology and humanitarian healthcare.

As the IshK Tolaram Eye Centre enters its second year, the anniversary serves not only as a reflection on its achievements but also as a starting point for expanding partnerships and bringing quality eye care closer to communities in need.

Contributor: Agus

Editor: EDUKASI-RI Team