Sido Muncul Helps Babies and Children 'Carve' Smiles Through Free Cleft Lip Surgery in Semarang

Cleft lip is one of the congenital deformities of the lip and palate that many newborns experience. This condition is acquired from non-genetic factors or during pregnancy. The prevalence of babies born with cleft lip is still relatively high in Indonesia. 

In relation to this matter, PT Industri Jamu Dan Farmasi Sido Muncul, Tbk (Sido Muncul) through its flagship product Kuku Bima Sido Muncul provides assistance for cleft lip and palate surgery for 30 patients at RS Panti Wilasa dr Cipto Semarang.

Symbolically, the social contribution worth Rp400 million was given by Director of Sido Muncul, Irwan Hidayat, to Director of RS Panti Wilasa dr Cipto Semarang, Dr. Daniel Budi Wibowo, M.Kes. From this assistance, Rp210 million is allocated for cleft lip surgery and Rp190 million for other surgical activities such as cataract surgery and clubfoot surgery at RS Panti Wilasa dr Cipto Semarang. 

Director of Sido Muncul, Irwan Hidayat, said that the assistance for cleft lip and palate surgery is a form of Sido Muncul's concern for the health of Indonesian people, especially the residents of Semarang and its surroundings.

"We can feel that children with cleft lip have difficulty eating and lack confidence in their appearance. Because it can be cured through surgery, we, Sido Muncul, provide assistance for free surgery for patients," said Irwan in Semarang, Tuesday (6/27).

According to Irwan, cleft lip surgery can actually be performed starting from the age of 3 to 6 months, except when there are other conditions that make it impossible to perform the surgery." One of the reasons for rejection, according to Irwan, is that the patient has a congenital heart disease.

Knowing that there are still many patients who have difficulty in treating cleft lip, Irwan asks parents with children who have cleft lip to come to RS Panti Wilasa dr Cipto Semarang.

Sido Muncul Targets 4,000 Patients

The assistance provided by Sido Muncul in Semarang is not the first time. Free cleft lip surgery assistance has been provided by Sido Muncul since 2018 in various regions in Indonesia. The total number of patients who have undergone surgery to date is 402, and Irwan also stated that Sido Muncul has achieved success in providing assistance. 

"This year, we target 4,000 patients with cleft lip and palate, but we admit that it is very difficult to find patients because people are still afraid to report and afraid of surgery," said Irwan. 

Irwan also mentioned that there is a Sido Muncul Natural Health Kiosk in RS Panti Wilasa dr Cipto Semarang that provides herbal products from Sido Muncul as a place for patients to find complementary medicines, in addition to those prescribed by doctors. 

Meanwhile, Director of RS Panti Wilasa dr Cipto Semarang, Dr. Daniel Budi Wibowo, M.Kes expressed his gratitude to Sido Muncul for providing the best service to the community.

"RS Panti Wilasa dr Cipto is a social hospital, a hospital that is present for the community. It is not just about collecting money to seek profit, but we are here to help the community that really needs assistance," said Dr. Daniel.

Patients Feel Very Helped

The free cleft lip surgery performed by Sido Muncul is beneficial for the wider community. One of them is the parent of a patient, Intan Sari, who feels grateful that her child can undergo free surgery from Kuku Bima Sido Muncul Health Supplements.

"To be honest, I am very happy and very helped by this event because I want my child to be like a normal child," she said when met at RS Panti Wilasa Semarang, Tuesday (6/27).

Intan explained that since childhood, her child has had problems with the palate in his mouth. As a result, her 8-year-old child has difficulty speaking fluently and has difficulty eating and drinking. 

"I have searched here and there for assistance with the surgery, but maybe my destiny is here," she said.

Author: Stella Maris