Government Committed To Improving Public Health

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian government is committed to improving public health by allocating five percent of the funds from the 2016 Draft Budget.

"Health expenditure, which reached Rp106 trillion, has provided a big opportunity to the government to improve public health through the Public Health Efforts' Program," Secretary General of the Health Ministry Untung Suseno Sutarjo stated here on Tuesday.

Sutarjo pointed out that the health budget can intensify promotional and preventive programs, which are organized through the activities outlined in the Public Health Efforts' Program to raise public awareness on leading a healthy life.

However, Sutarjo pointed out that the programs are not easy to realize.

"Almost all promotional and preventive programs require a long time frame as there is a need to strengthen synergy between the Public Health Efforts' Program and the National Health Insurance," he remarked.

The Indo Healthcare Forum thereafter held a discussion titled "Strengthening Synergy between the Public Health Efforts' Program and the National Health Insurance to Achieve a Healthy Indonesia."

Committee Chairman of the Indo Healthcare Forum Rufi I. Susanto remarked that the National Health Insurance has an effect on the Public Health Efforts' Program, especially as the Community Health Center is the primary health care provider.

Susanto explained that the Community Health Center does not have adequate facilities but has to shoulder a huge responsibility.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Health Consultants (IKKESINDO) Supriyantoro remarked that the cost of the National Health Insurance program will be higher and decrease the Social Security Agency (BPJS) budget if the Public Health Efforts' Program does not achieve the required results.

He noted that the additional funds in the 2016 Draft Budget will offer the best momentum to strengthen synergy between the Public Health Efforts' Program and the National Health Insurance. (WDY)