TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Wahidin-Andika promises free healthcare in Banten
Change Size
Staying on message -- Banten gubernatorial candidate pair Wahidin Halim (left) and Andika Hazrumy (right) explain their programs during a debate at Usmar Ismail Hall in Jakarta on Jan. 29. (Antara/Wahyu Putro A)
S
howing a deep understanding of barriers to accessing healthcare in the province, Banten gubernatorial candidate Wahidin Halim and his running mate, Andika Hazrumy, are striving to win the hearts of voters by intensively promoting a free healthcare program.
Wahidin-Andika campaign team spokesman Syafril Elaine said that under their leadership, the Banten administration would cooperate with both public and private hospitals to provide free healthcare services to all Banten residents.
“The administration will sign a memorandum of understanding [MOU] with several hospitals, under which each Banten resident can access free healthcare services by simply showing their electronic identification cards [e-KTP],” Syafril told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
(Read also: Wahidin-Andika vows to end political dynasty in Banten)
He further said that under his leadership the Banten administration would cover healthcare expenses, which were not covered by the national health insurance program, managed by the Social Security Management Agency (BPJS). Poor residents not registered for BPJS or unable to pay its premium would be significantly helped by the program, he added.
Syafril further said the pair was confident about the successful implementation of the program given the size of Banten’s annual budget.
In 2016, unused funds in Banten amounted to Rp 1.19 trillion (US$89.31 million). Such a huge amount of money was sufficient to provide free healthcare service to residents, Syafril said.
During his tenure as Tangerang mayor from 2003 to 2013, Wahidin was successful in implementing a free healthcare program, said Syafril, adding that he did not only cooperate with several hospitals in Tangerang but also Harapan Kita Hospital in West Jakarta. (ebf)
