The Indonesian Constitution has clearly stated that health is a basic need for all Indonesians and that the state has the responsibility to provide proper health services, said House Speaker Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani. Therefore, developments in the field of health are vital to ensure that all Indonesians get equal access to health services. The Speaker said both central government and regional governments need to make firm commitments to providing health services to all citizens.

“Developments in the field of health should focus on how all Indonesians can have access to health services. One of the commitments is to spend health budget effectively to improve the Indonesian healthcare system,” said Maharani in her keynote speech at the fourth virtual meeting of Bung Karno Month (Peringatan Bulan Bung Karno) with the theme “The Politics of Health Self-Sufficiency” (Politik Kesehatan Berdikari) on Tuesday (30/6/2020).  

Maharani believes that health self-sufficiency as a policy needs to be implemented to strengthen national health security and ensure that, along with other policies, they truly benefit the people. This is achievable by making available, among others, publicly-accessible health facilities, equal distribution of healthcare workers in hospitals and community health centers, national manufacturers of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and medicines, universal health coverage -- currently administered by BPJS Kesehatan -- as well as effective and well-targeted health budget. 

In the webinar, Maharani also pointed out that the national health security is also largely determined by research, innovation, and national Industry in meeting demands for medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, medicines, medical personal protective equipment (PPEs), and other health facilities and infrastructure. Currently, some universities in Indonesia have started to work in this direction and develop portable ventilators. “The government needs to established synergized policies in regulating health, manufacture, and SOEs to accelerate the development of the health industry in meeting national needs,” Maharani asserted. 

“Overseeing and scrutinizing the government health policy in allocating 5 percent of the state budget for the health sector is one way the House exercises its budgetary function. It is keen to make sure that all Indonesian citizens receive health services, regardless of their economic backgrounds”, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) politician explained. The other speakers of the webinar were Minister of Health, Mr. Terawan Agus, Head of National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), Mr. Hasto Wardoyo, and Regent of North Tapanuli Regency, Mr. Nikson Nababan. (tn/sf)