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COVID-19: Jakarta medical workers still waiting for promised financial incentives
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A medical worker stands in a treatment room at the COVID-19 emergency hospital in Kemayoran, Jakarta, on March 3. (Kompas/Pool/Heru Sri Kumoro)
M
edical workers treating COVID-19 patients in Jakarta have yet to receive the financial incentives promised by the government since March, after the country recorded its first confirmed cases.
The director of Koja Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in North Jakarta, Banjar, said he had submitted the required documents for staff to receive the incentive, including copies of medical workers' employee cards and accountability reports.
"But our staff have still not received any payments," Banjar said on Wednesday.
It has been the same for medical staff at RSUD Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta. The hospital's director, Yudi, confirmed the promised-incentives had yet to be disbursed.
"Please ask the Jakarta Health Agency for further information regarding the delay," Yudi said as quoted by kompas.com.
Read also: Government pledges to cut red tape to accelerate healthcare spending
The central government has reportedly set aside Rp 5.9 trillion (US$396 million) for incentives for front-line healthcare workers across the country. Medical specialists will receive Rp 15 million per month, physicians and dentists Rp 10 million, while nurses and other medical staff members will get Rp 7.5 million and Rp 5 million, respectively.
A total of Rp 300 million in compensation will also be provided in case of death.
Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto stated previously that the money would be disbursed starting from May yet progress has moved at a snail’s pace, drawing a rebuke from President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
In a video released by the President's press office in June, Jokowi delivered an uncharacteristically angry speech during a Cabinet meeting about the sluggish implementation of several policies, including the provision of financial incentives to health workers.
Read also: Administrative issues hamper COVID-19 budget disbursement: Sri Mulyani
Jakarta Financial Management Body (BKPD) head Edy Sumantri said the administration was supposed to have received around Rp 92.9 billion to be channeled to the city's medical workers.
"However, we have only received Rp 56.2 billion so far, which has caused the delay," Edy said, adding that he would seek the immediate disbursement of the remaining funds.
In the meantime, the BKPD will process the funds it has received and disburse it to health workers. "We will start to pay the incentives next Monday," Edy told kompas.com on Thursday. (vny)
