President Jokowi Calls on Hospital Management to Fix Management System

President Jokowi gives a speech at the 14th PERSI Congress, at JCC Jakarta, Wednesday (17/10). (Photo by: Deny S/Public Relations Division)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has invited hospital management in the country to effectively and efficiently ensure that the public has access to health services thoroughly. The President made the statement in his speech at the Opening of the 14^th Congress of the Indonesian Hospital Association (PERSI), at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, Wednesday (10/17).

On the occasion, the President also mentioned about the ongoing deficit in the state health insurance (JKN).

“The deficit problem in the JKN should have been resolved by the minister and the Healthcare Security Provider Body (BPJS Kesehatan) President Director. (How can) a matter related to hospitals’ debts reach the President? We finally made a decision to increase the budget allocation to Rp4.9 trillion sourced from the 2018 State Budget,” the President said, adding that BPJS Kesehatan should fix its management system to avoid a deeper deficit.

The President went on to explain that managing thousands of hospitals spread across the country is not easy. Therefore, the President has asked the BPJS President Director to fix the system to have the problems resolved.

According to the President, he always paid an impromptu visit to monitor firsthand the circumstance on the ground, such as in the Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung and the Nabire General Hospital, Papua to check health services. “So, (the hospital’s President Director) no need to complain in media, I already know the issue,” the President added.

However, the President questioned that a solution to the deficit problem must be sought every year. “It should have been settled in Minister of Health, in the BPJS Kesehatan President Director. If it happens again next year, that would be outrageous,” the President said.

Previously, the President has also ordered an audit on hospital bills following reports of excessive claims at hospitals causing mounting bills.

Also present on the occasion were Minister of Health Nila F. Moelok, BPJS Kesehatan President Director Fahmi Idris, and Chairman of PERSI Dr. Kuntjoro AP, M.Kes. (MAY/DNS/ES)(MUR/MMB/YM/Naster).