Health insurance JKN becomes model for other Asian countries

Jakarta (ANTARA) - State health insurer BPJS Kesehatan has stated that the National Health Insurance (JKN) program, which aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), has become a model for other Asian countries.

"The JKN program is a manifestation of strong collaboration in Indonesia, as the health financing system is implemented through an integrated scheme," said Ghufron Mukti, President Director of BPJS Kesehatan, in his statement on Sunday.

During the 15th International Health Economic Association (IHEA) Congress held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa on Sunday, Mukti emphasized Indonesia's commitment to providing equal protection and access to health services for all citizens.

As of July 1, 2023, the number of JKN participants has reached 258.9 million people, accounting for 93.81 percent of the total population. "With nearly a decade of JKN implementation, the government continues to demonstrate strong political commitment to achieving UHC," he explained.

Although there were initially challenges in terms of financing, BPJS Kesehatan has been able to adapt to policy changes and introduce various innovations to enhance the sustainability of the JKN program.

"Moreover, despite the increased utilization of the program during the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains financially healthy, with no outstanding debts to hospitals," he said. Furthermore, BPJS Kesehatan is advocating for revisions to the Presidential Regulation related to JKN in order to improve health services and financing for JKN participants, especially those in rural areas.

According to Mukti, one of the challenges in achieving UHC is encouraging healthy informal workers to join the JKN program. They have unpredictable incomes and limited access to healthcare facilities.

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Therefore, BPJS Kesehatan has implemented various strategies to boost their participation in the JKN, such as advocating to local governments and villages to identify and register them. The biennial IHEA Congress serves as the global platform for health economists to discuss and present the latest methodologies and research findings, exploring their implications for health policies and practices.