W

est Java’s Cimahi Police have uncovered the distribution and use of fake membership cards of the Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) in the city.

The finding was made possible following a complaint filed by Budiyanto, a 36-year-old resident of Simpang village, Padalarang subdistrict, West Bandung regency, who was recently denied access by Cibabat Regional Hospital to obtain a meningitis vaccine. The hospital management said his BPJS Kesehatan card was fake.

“We are investigating the case, including the motive for falsifying the BPJS Kesehatan cards,” the chief of the Cimahi Police, Adj. Sr. Comr. Ary Syam Indradi, told journalists on Sunday.

The head of the community unit where Budiyanto’s house is located, Ade Rahman, expressed his astonishment at the police’s finding as the registration for BPJS membership for residents within his community unit had been collectively carried out by a registered volunteer from the Simpang village administration three months ago and each person was charged a Rp 100,000 fee.

The head of the Cimahi BPJS Kesehatan office, Yudha Indrajaya, confirmed the finding of fake BPJS Kesehatan cards. “I have just received the information from journalists. We have verified the card through our online system and the membership number on the falsified card is not registered,” Yudha said.

“Moreover, the format of the falsified BPJS Kesehatan card is not the same as the format issued by the BPJS Kesehatan management,” he added.