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View all search resultsConcerns loom over retired military doctor appointment in BPJS Kesehatan
Appointing a retired military doctor may disrupt meritocracy within civilian institutions and hindering the resolve of persistent issues faced by the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) and the national health insurance (JKN), observers have said.
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Office of the Coordinating Social Empowerment Minister Muhaimin Iskandar (left) shakes hands on Feb. 20, 2026, with newly-inaugurated Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) president director Maj. Gen. (ret) Prihati Pujowaskito during a ceremony in Jakarta. Prihati, a retired military cardiologist, will lead the healthcare agency from 2026 to 2031, replacing Ali Ghufron Mukti who held the position since 2021. (Antara/Indrianto Eko Suwarso)
P
resident Prabowo Subianto has appointed a military retiree to head the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) that manages the national health insurance (JKN) for the 2026-2031 term, raising concerns of further militarism in the country’s health sector.
Retired military cardiologist Maj. Gen. (ret) Prihati Pujowaskito was appointed as president director of BPJS Kesehatan for the 2026-2031 term, replacing Ali Ghufron Mukti who has held the post since 2021. The decision was stipulated in the Presidential Decree (Keppress) No. 17/P/2026 on the appointment of new members for BPJS Kesehatan’s supervisory board and board of directors.
Aside from Prihati, other newly appointed directors include physician Abdi Kurniawan Purba; Health Ministry expert staffers Bayu Teja Muliawan and Setiaji; Office of the Coordinating Social Empowerment Minister advisor Fatih Waluyo Wahid; and academicians Akmal Budi Yulianto, Vetty Yulianty Permanasari and Sutopo Patria Jati.
Meanwhile, new members of the agency’s supervisory board were Stevanus Adrianto Passat, Mutri Utami Adyanto, Rukijo, Afif Johan, Paulus Agung Pambudhi, Sunarto and Lula Kamal.
Members of the supervisory board underwent a confirmation hearing with the House of Representatives Commission IX overseeing demographic and health affairs as mandated by the 2011 BPJS Law, according to the agency in a statement on Thursday. Meanwhile, the directors were directly appointed by the President.
Disrupting meritocracy
