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Health bill must learn from COVID-19 to anticipate future pandemics
The draft law limits regional government and non-health government actors' involvement and is unclear about the role of nongovernment stakeholders in decision-making.
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A patient cheers on a medical worker leading morning exercises for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients undergoing isolation in the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi, West Java, on Oct. 2, 2020. Medical workers monitored the patients’ conditions during their isolation. JP/Dhoni Setiawan (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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ndonesia is embarking on an ambitious journey to transform its healthcare system with the omnibus health bill. The groundbreaking legislation seeks to consolidate and streamline health regulations, paving the way for a more efficient, accessible and resilient healthcare system that is ready to face future challenges.
Preparing for future health challenges is crucial as studies indicate that Indonesia faces increased risk from human-animal interactions, tropical diseases and climate-induced health challenges. Therefore, improving health care will strengthen resilience against potential pandemics.
For some, the COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call to the numerous healthcare system inadequacies. These shortcomings range from limited access to healthcare services, insufficient facilities and medical personnel, to a weak emergency healthcare system.
Yet, after grappling with COVID-19 for the last three years, the health bill reveals that the government and lawmakers have yet to effectively learn from their past experiences in order to prepare for future pandemics.
Take the Health Sector Policy Committee (KKSK) as an example. The bill suggests establishing the KKSK as a coordination and communication platform to accelerate development and strengthen health system resilience. The KKSK could also help strengthen the institutional infrastructure needed during outbreaks or pandemics.
However, the current draft limits regional government and non-health government actors' involvement and is unclear about the role of nongovernment stakeholders in decision-making. This vagueness could hinder the KKSK's ability to engage different perspectives and include everyone in decision-making related to the pandemic.
The COVID-19 task force offers valuable lessons for the KKSK as it shows that involving multiple stakeholders helps mobilize resources to handle the pandemic. However, health and economic interests seemed to dominate the task force's focus, which is one key takeaway that the KKSK needs to learn from.
