Bapemperda Considers Involving Private Clinics to Reduce Patient Queues

The Jakarta City Council's Regional Regulation Formation Agency (Bapemperda) is currently reviewing a strategy to reduce patient queues at Community Health Centers (Puskesmas). One option being considered is involving private clinics in public health services.

optimizing Minimum Service Standards (SPM)

Currently, Bapemperda together with a number of stakeholders are discussing the articles in the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on the Regional Health System (Siskesda).

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The Head of the Jakarta City Council's Bapemperda, Abdul Aziz, said that involving private clinics is an alternative that is considered to be able to help reduce the burden on community health centers which often experience overcrowding with patients.

"The Indonesian Health Services Forum (PFPKN) has proposed that private clinics also be involved in optimizing Minimum Service Standards (SPM)," said Aziz, Thursday (6/25).

According to him, long queues make health services less effective. People who come to the Community Health Center need fast and appropriate medical treatment.

In addition to hampering service, long waiting times also have the potential to increase the risk of disease transmission between patients in the waiting rooms of health facilities.

"So, patients need immediate treatment, not only because of their weakened physical condition, but also because the risk of contracting other diseases at healthcare facilities is quite high," he added.

He continued that the proposal to involve private clinics in the Siskesda Draft Regional Regulation still needs to be studied comprehensively, especially regarding the service integration mechanism with the Social Security Administration for Health (BPJS Kesehatan).

"It is hoped that equal distribution of patient care can improve the quality of health services in Jakarta," he continued.

He stated that Bapemperda is still opening up space for various elements of society to provide input in the process of drafting these regulations.