PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Regional Secretary of West Java Province Herman Suryatman attended the Monitoring and Evaluation of the Implementation of Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2022 concerning Optimizing the Implementation of the National Health Insurance Program (JKN) at the Harris Hotel Ciumbuleuit, Bandung City, Thursday (2/5/2024).

Also present were the Assistant Deputy for Social Security of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture together with the Presidential Staff Office and Cabinet Secretariat to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the JKN program in 27 districts/cities throughout West Java.

The Central Government highlighted the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) figure for West Java Province which is currently in the range of 96 percent, but active participants are below the national average, namely 73 percent.

UHC is health insurance for the community to obtain health services at Community Health Centers, Regional Hospitals, private hospitals and other health facilities.

Responding to these achievements, Regional Secretary Herman Suryatman said that cooperation between districts/cities and the provincial government is needed to increase the UHC rate to the minimum target of 98 percent this year. An increase in numbers in districts/cities will have an impact on an increase in provincial numbers.

"Because of that, we (West Java Provincial Government) ask friends in districts/cities to work hand in hand with the Provincial Government to increase UHC. If UHC in districts/cities can increase sharply, God willing, the province will also increase," said Herman when met after the event.

"The provincial government has disbursed quite large funds of Rp. 1.2 trillion for districts/cities. Let's work together to fulfill our obligations," he continued.

According to Herman, the 98 percent target will be accelerated to the maximum in 2024 for the benefit of the health of the people of West Java.

In order to achieve the UHC target, public awareness and literacy is needed that the JKN program managed by BPJS Health is free because it is supported by the government through PBI, as well as BPJS Health Mandiri for those who can afford it.

"Because of that, we urge the public not to wait until they get sick, but come on, join JKN. For those who are poor, the state is present, but for those who can afford it, please join independently," explained Herman.

Meanwhile, Assistant Deputy for Social Security at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Niken Ariati, revealed that his arrival together with two other state institutions was to help overcome the decline in UHC numbers in West Java.

Niken provided several solutions, including encouraging local governments to utilize the disbursement of Tobacco Products Excise Revenue Sharing Funds (DBHCHT), cigarette taxes, and Earmark DAU to be allocated to improving health facilities and services in each region.

"Later we will ask again, after being reminded in May, in 5-6 months we will see the progress, we will check again. Hopefully there is (progress), we will also continue to remind the regional heads of their duties regarding JKN," said Niken.