Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after Inspection of the Regional General Hospital (RSUD) of Salatiga City, Central Java Province, January 22, 2024

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, I want to check the hospital’s services to the patients or communities who need the services. Because we know that the Government has distributed the Healthy Indonesia Cards (KIS) to approximately 96 million people and currently there are 267 million people taking part in the national healthcare program provided by the Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) who constitute a little more than 95 percent of our population.

And, I asked earlier whether there were any fees charged for the services provided, there weren’t any. There is no limitation of patients’ stay at this hospital either. I think this is good. However, people still have to wait in a long queue to get the services. That’s what we have to make shorter. But in all hospitals, the problems are almost the same. But as I asked earlier, the queue here took only 30 minutes, not hours, I think it’s still good.

Journalists

What needs to be improved, Mr. President, with regard to the services?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, speed of service to shorten the queue, and hospital facilities, because earlier I saw people queuing here still crowded each other due to the inadequacy of the available room. But in my opinion, the presence of KIS (the Healthy Indonesia Card) and the Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) really help communities. I’ve also checked several times to see whether there were any unofficial fees charged here and I didn’t find any. I think this is very good. I think this hospital has to improve its services continuously over time. That’s what we hope for, right?

(TM/LW)