Sunday 15 December 2013

Around 600,000 people in W. Sulawesi to receive national health insurance

As many as 601,252 residents in West Sulawesi will be covered by the National Health Insurance (JKN) program arranged by the social security providers (BPJS).

"A total of 504,423 participants of the government-funded health coverage plan, or Jamkesmas, in West Sulawesi and 96,829 Askes holders will be included in the JKN program arranged by the BPJS," said Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi during a working meeting with health workers in Mamuju, West Sulawesi, on Sunday, as quoted by Antara news agency.

"All regions, including West Sulawesi, have been instructed to launch their JKN programs via the BPJS, which will come into effect nationally on Jan. 1, 2014, as part of [the government's] efforts to increase health insurance take-up among all Indonesians," Nafsiah added.

Nationally, 121.6 million people, who are currently covered by various health insurance plans including Jamkesmas, the state-funded health insurance program for civil servants, Askes, and state-owned insurance company Jamsostek, will be covered by JKN program.

Nafsiah said that among challenges being faced in the implementation of the BPJS plan was a shortage of healthcare infrastructure, so local administrations were being urged to continue their health infrastructure development.

According to official data, West Sulawesi has 109 primary healthcare facilities, 92 community health centers (Puskesmas), 317 clinics and several C- and D-type hospitals.

"Infrastructure in West Sulawesi is still inadequate. It is the responsibility of the West Sulawesi administration to improve it, in both number and quality, to support the implementation of the JKN and BPJS programs in the province," she said.

Witnessed by six of the province's regents, the West Sulawesi Governor Anwar Adnan Saleh and Nafsiah signed an agreement on a JKN partnership.

During her visit, Nafsiah also attended an interactive dialogue on the JKN and controlling HIV/AIDS with local government officials before visiting several Puskesmas and the Mamuju Regional Hospital. (ebf

Source: Jakarta Post

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