Ministry to spend more ahead of BPJS law

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The Health Ministry plans to use part of its Rp 31.2 trillion (US$3.27 billion) budget in 2013 to improve the primary health care system ahead of the implementation of the Social Security Providers (BPJS) law for the health sector on Jan. 1, 2014.

Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi said on Friday that improving health care facilities and sending skilled health workers throughout the country would be some of the key steps the ministry would take in preparing for the implementation
of the BPJS.

“As we start preparation on the implementation of the BPJS in 2014, improving basic health care services will become one of areas we will prioritize in the 2013 budget. Many community health centers, for example, are seriously damaged,” she told reporters on Friday.

Ministry data showed that 1,937 community health centers suffered from serious and moderate damage.

“We will start repairing the damaged facilities. Meanwhile, we’d like to see health workers be more well-prepared to deliver quality health care services under the social security scheme,” Nafsiah said.

She said that the ministry was working to provide easy access to medical equipment and quality, affordable medicines.

The Health Ministry is one of seven ministries and government institutions that will receive more than Rp 20 trillion each in 2013.

The other ministries include the Defense Ministry (Rp 77.7 trillion), the National Education and Culture Ministry (Rp 66 trillion), the National Police (Rp 43.4 trillion), the Religious Affairs Ministry (Rp 41.7 trillion) and the Transportation Ministry (Rp 31.4 trillion).

The budget for the Health Ministry for 2013 makes up 2.5 percent of the state budget.

Health Ministry secretary general Ratna Rosita Supandji said that the ministry would closely monitor how the budget would be used.

She said that a more thorough oversight was necessary because more than 80 percent of the total budget would be delivered for local governments, possibly resulting in higher financial risks.

“We have 1,183 working units from the central to local levels and it’s a little difficult for us to control the financial management of working units at local levels,” said Ratna.

She said that the ministry’s Inspectorate General and Finance Bureau would also impose tighter financial control to ensure budget management transparency and accountability.

The government expects to spend Rp 25 trillion implementing the BPJS law for the health sector, to guarantee the availability of quality health care for all.

President Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono said the fund would provide quality, affordable health care for the country.