Jember Launches Homecare Programme to Ease Healthcare Access for the Underprivileged

The Jember Regency government continues to demonstrate its commitment to expanding healthcare access for the community, particularly underprivileged groups. This commitment was realised through the launch of an innovative Homecare health service programme attended by Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Benjamin Paulus Octavianus and Jember Regent Muhammad Fawait at the Sumber Baru Community Health Centre, Jember Regency, on Friday, 24 July 2026. Jember Regent Muhammad Fawait stated that the programme was motivated by the fact that Jember Regency has the second-highest absolute poverty rate in East Java. This poverty impacts several sectors, including health issues such as stunting, rising maternal mortality rates, and infant mortality rates. The man familiarly known as Gus Fawait explained that although the Jember Regency government has provided free BPJS for all underprivileged citizens since 1 April 2025, the community not only needs free treatment but also faces cost barriers in accessing health services at community health centres and hospitals. “From that, the president’s spirit is translated into a breakthrough through the Homecare programme. Underprivileged communities will receive proactive healthcare services in their own homes,” he said. This Homecare service implements a proactive approach by visiting the homes of residents in need. The programme prioritises vulnerable groups, such as low-income communities, chronic disease sufferers, the elderly, people with disabilities, high-risk pregnant women, and children experiencing stunting. “If well-off families can have a personal doctor or family doctor, the Jember Regency government wants to make this a reality for underprivileged communities. This is in line with the president’s spirit that the underprivileged must be defended and receive proper healthcare access,” he said. Deputy Minister of Health Benjamin Paulus Octavianus expressed appreciation for the performance of the Jember Regency government under the leadership of Regent Gus Fawait, which has eased healthcare access for the community. “I greatly appreciate what the Jember Regent, Gus Fawait, has done,” he said. He noted that although BPJS Kesehatan membership coverage in Jember Regency has reached 80 per cent and is able to reach underprivileged communities, questions still arise as to why poverty and stunting rates in the area remain high. “It turns out that communities experience difficulty accessing health facilities because the Jember area is very large and the distance to health facilities is quite far. Because of this, the Jember Regent is taking a proactive approach,” he said. Benjamin stated that the Ministry of Health sees this programme as having the potential to become a pilot project. Originating in Jember and seriously initiated by the regent, similar programmes are planned to be developed in several areas of East Java, Central Java, and West Java in 2027. “Going forward, I hope programmes like this can be implemented throughout Indonesia and not just in Jember. This programme is very helpful, especially for patients who are due to be discharged from hospital but still require care at home,” he said. “In my opinion, this is an extraordinary breakthrough programme from the Jember Regent.”