Govt allocates Rp 1.9t for health coverage

Govt allocates Rp 1.9t for health coverage

JAKARTA: The government has allocated Rp 1.9 trillion
(US$209.94 million) from the 2005 state budget to provide health
insurance for about 12 million poor people.

Speaking during the 40th commemoration of National Health Day,
Minister of Health Siti Fadilah Supari said the health insurance
would cover medical services provided in state hospitals.

She said state-owned insurance company PT Askes would manage
the scheme in accordance with Law No. 40/2004 on the social
security system.

Siti also said the health ministry would establish a council
to formulate standards for medical practitioners in response to
recent accusations of malpractice. -- Antara