LPA Mataram Covers BPJS Bills for Santri Burn Victims in NTB Islamic Boarding School
The Mataram Child Protection Agency (LPA) in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has stated that it has settled all outstanding BPJS Kesehatan bills for two santri who were victims of a burning at an Islamic boarding school. The move was taken as a tangible form of protection for the health rights of children who are victims of violence.
Joko Jumadi, head of LPA Mataram, affirmed that the agency now stands as guarantor for the medical costs of two of the three santri affected by the tragic incident. The LPA is still awaiting the full breakdown of arrears from RSUD Praya hospital to finalise payment.
“For the total arrears, we are still waiting for the bill from RSUD Praya,” Joko said in Mataram on Thursday (9/7).
Joko highlighted a contradiction in the implementation of Article 52 of Presidential Regulation No. 59 of 2024 on Health Insurance. Under the regulation, there are 21 types of health services not covered by BPJS Kesehatan.
Specifically, Article 52 letter r states that healthcare arising from assault, sexual violence, terrorism, and human trafficking offences falls outside BPJS Kesehatan coverage. However, Joko stressed that a subsequent clause provides an exception for those already covered through another funding scheme from central or regional government.
According to Joko, since the burning occurred, the victims were registered only as BPJS Kesehatan beneficiaries and held no other health insurance. This should mean BPJS Kesehatan remains responsible for the victims’ treatment, as no other funding scheme was attached to them at the time of the incident.
The uncertainty over coverage for victims of criminal acts has prompted legal action from LPA Mataram. Joko said the agency plans to take the matter to court to secure certainty for child victims of violence in future.
“That is what concerns us, and at the same time we will sue the government and BPJS in court,” he asserted.
The move is expected to set a precedent so that health insurance regulations do not instead burden victims of crime, who should receive full protection from the state. (Ant/H-3)