MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, INDIA – Professor Budu, a member of the Higher Education, Research, and Development Council of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah, received an international award at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) held in Jaipur.
The award recognized his dedication and leadership in advancing efforts to eliminate preventable blindness. Budu currently serves as chairman of the central board of Persatuan Dokter Mata Indonesia (PERDAMI), the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association.
Speaking in Jaipur, Budu said the recognition was not merely a personal honor. Instead, it reflects international appreciation for the collective work carried out by Indonesia’s ophthalmology community. Budu is hoping that the recognition would improve medical services, education, and policy advocacy in eye health.
“Efforts to eliminate blindness cannot be carried out individually,” Budu said during the event, which took place from March 12 to 15 at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre in Rajasthan. “Strong cooperation among countries, professional organizations, and international networks is essential if the Sight 2030 target is to be achieved.”
Regional Commitment to the Sight 2030 Initiative
During the forum, Budu also participated in another strategic agenda: the signing of a joint declaration among India, Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to strengthen collaboration under the Sight 2030 movement, a global initiative aimed at eliminating preventable blindness.
At the ceremony, he was accompanied by Yeni Dwi Lestari, Indonesia’s representative at the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
The declaration reaffirmed the participating countries’ commitment to reducing preventable blindness through cross-border collaboration. The initiative focuses on strengthening eye-care services, expanding prevention programs, promoting public education, and enhancing institutional support.
Budu said Indonesia’s participation in the declaration demonstrates the country’s growing role in global eye-health initiatives. Indonesia is now part of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, a worldwide network dedicated to preventing blindness and visual impairment.
Expanding Indonesia’s Medical Diplomacy
The AIOS Annual Meeting is one of the largest ophthalmology forums in the region. As a result, it serves as an important platform for scientific exchange and professional collaboration.
The recognition awarded to Budu in Jaipur highlights the expanding influence of Indonesian medical professionals in international health diplomacy. It also signals increasing global recognition of Indonesia’s contributions to blindness prevention.
Through international engagements like this, Muhammadiyah continues to demonstrate that its members can contribute meaningfully on the global stage. With broader international networks now in place, efforts to prevent blindness in Indonesia are expected to become more coordinated, collaborative, and impactful for communities across the country. (Bhisma)
