BPJS to Utilise TNI Hospital Ships for JKN Services in Remote Areas
The National Health Insurance Social Security Agency, or BPJS Kesehatan, will utilise hospital ships owned by the TNI and Polri to reach underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions (3T areas).
The CEO of BPJS Kesehatan, Retired Major General TNI Prihati Pujowaskito, stated that empowering these hospital ships is one of the Quick Wins Programmes for the First 100 Working Days of the BPJS Kesehatan Directorate for 2026-2031.
“We want the National Health Insurance (JKN) 3T to empower or collaborate with Polri or TNI hospital ships to provide healthcare services in areas not yet reached by healthcare services and facilities,” said Pujo during the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Villages and Underdeveloped Regions Development, the Ministry of Cooperatives, the Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, and the National Nutrition Agency at the BPJS Kesehatan head office in Jakarta on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.
Pujo said he has already met with Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to discuss the use of warships so that National Health Insurance (JKN) services can reach 3T areas. In the future, BPJS Kesehatan will also meet with TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto and Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL) Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali.
BPJS Kesehatan has actually already begun JKN services using TNI-owned hospital ships. However, Pujo said BPJS will request the Defence Minister and KSAL to add more navy ships that can be used.
Pujo acknowledged that there are still many underdeveloped areas without healthcare service facilities. Therefore, BPJS Kesehatan is forging partnerships with other ministries and agencies so that services to 3T areas can be provided via hospital ships. “And of course, we will plan that within the next three months,” said Pujo.
In his remarks, Pujo revealed that BPJS Kesehatan already has 283 million participants. Of that number, 81.5 per cent or around 266 million souls are active. He also stated that BPJS Kesehatan transacts with more than 23,000 clinics and 3,170 hospitals across Indonesia.
“That provides healthcare service financing to JKN participants of up to 2 million health transactions per day. Yes, the money is Rp 500 billion per day,” said Pujo.
Pujo said the new BPJS Kesehatan directorate is preparing a strategic plan to map needs, evaluate programmes, and formulate future programme policies. “We very much hope and will be able to collaborate with all stakeholders and related ministries, related institutions in this country in the entire health insurance ecosystem,” he said.