Inauguration of ABMEC by Yudhoyono, Howard proceeds smoothly

he inauguration ceremony of the Australia-Bali Memorial Eye Center (ABMEC) by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his Australian counterpart, Prime Minister John Howard proceeded smoonthly here on Friday.

Tens of security officers and snipers were mobilized to maintain security around Jalan Angsoka, Denpasar, the scene of the ceremony.

Security officers were also deployed at Bali`s Sports Committee Building which was contigous to the Special Care Unit of the Indra Penglihtantan Eye Hospital in an effort to anticipate possible security disturbance.

A number of snipers stood guard at the Sports Committee building which had two storeys from which one could witness the inauguration of the ABMEC.

In his opening address, John Howard said the Australia-Bali Memorial Eye Centre was part of the Bali memorial assistance measures he announced in 2003 to provide quality eye care for Indonesians affected by blindness.

The hospital was built in remembrance of Australian nationals who were killed in the terrorist bomb attacks in Bali in October 2002 which claimed 202 lives, mostly Australian holidaymakers.

"This eye center is not only for Australians but also for Balinese and other foreigners who fell victims in terrorist bomb attacks," Howard said.

Bali Governor Dewa Bertha on the occasion expressed hope that the eye centre would help improve the health of Bali`s people.

Based on data at the World Health Organization (WHO), about 55,000 people in Indonesia lost their sights, two-thirds of whom suffered from cataract.

Most of the eye sufferers came from poor families and could not afford medication to regain their sights.

With the presence of the eye center, it was hoped that the number of cataract patients who received medical treatment would increase from 3,000 per annum currently to 6,000 patients annually in 2010.

The eye center has the facilities such as building and medical equipment which is built on a 2,470m plot of land. (*)