He delivered the remarks while reviewing a free cataract and cleft lip surgery social activity initiated by the National Retired Army Association (PPAD) at Mimika Regional General Hospital here.
"This agenda carries an important message to all of us that retirement is merely an administrative issue and service to the nation and the people shall never stop," Amin said on Wednesday.
He urged residents to emulate the retired army officers who organized the activity by ceaselessly serving the people.
The social activity was organized through cooperation between the PPAD and the Central Papua province and Mimika district authorities, the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association (Perdami), and PT Freeport Indonesia.
The Perdami team conducted eye surgery on 78 patients, and the Army General Hospital (RSPAD) team performed cleft lip surgery on 12 patients.
Besides the free cataract and cleft lip surgeries, health and dentist consultations, as well as vitamins and basic foods were also provided during the activity.
PPAD Chairperson Lieutenant General (retd.) Doni Monardo said the prevalence of cataract among residents in Papua was behind the organization's decision to offer free eye surgery.
An unhealthy lifestyle might be a factor behind the high number of cataract cases in the region, he said.
Traditional Papuan homes have no windows or ventilation to disperse smoke from the fire lighted for cooking food in the house, he noted.
Continued exposure to such smoke causes irritation that results in cataract development, Monardo said.
"(The cataract) might start with a blot (in the eye), and it gradually affects the entire eye lens, causing loss of vision," the retired officer said.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu AJ, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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