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