People told to get health insurace

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Heath Sujudi encouraged the public yesterday to participate in health insurance programs as a way to cope with rising medical costs.

Currently, he said, many people are still reluctant to use the prepayment system in health care, due to the lack of information about the advantages of health insurance.

"Health insurance will provide participants with good quality medical services," Sujudi said when opening an exhibition of health products and services.

People are yet to be assured that participating in health insurance programs will free them from the headaches they usually encounter every time they have health problems.

A study last year by the Indonesian Consumers Foundation found drug prices in Indonesia to be among the highest in Southeast Asia, sometimes four to five times higher than those of other countries in the region.

Twenty seven agencies, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies are taking part in the exhibition, which will conclude on Sunday. Seminars held on the sidelines will be open to the public.

Sujudi blamed the low yearly income level in Indonesia, now standing at US$1,023, for the slow increase in the number of people taking part in the prepayment system in medical care.

"In line with their rising incomes, people will demand better health facilities and services," Sujudi said.

According to current Ministry of Health data, only about 31 million (or 16 percent) out of 200 million Indonesians use the prepayment system for their health care needs.

Of the 31 million people who use the prepayment system, he said, 15 million are with the state-owned insurance company PT Askes, one million with the state-owned Jamsostek company, one million with private health insurance companies and 14 million with community financing institutions.

Sujudi stressed that everyone has the right to better medical treatment. "The improvement of medical care quality is the main issue now and in the future," he said.

In addition to the state-owned health insurance companies, there are about 10 private health insurance companies.

There have been persistent reports of complaints about the insurance companies' poor services and efficiency, such as the lack of representative offices in the hospitals. Other complaints included participants being asked to pay extra for medicines. (31)