Legislator Pushes Puskesmas Revamp to Ease Hospital Crowding

Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) Commission E Chairman Muhammad Subki called on the Health Agency to revitalize local community health centers (Puskesmas) to strengthen primary care and prevent bottlenecks at large referral hospitals.

Puskesmas are our healthcare system's front door

Subki emphasized that as the frontline of public healthcare, Puskesmas must continually improve their physical infrastructure and service standards so residents trust local clinics for their medical needs.

“Puskesmas are our healthcare system's front door, so they must be in top condition. With better clinics, patients can be filtered at the primary level rather than flooding major hospitals directly,” he expressed, during a working meeting on the draft city budget (APBD) 2027, Wednesday (11/4).

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According to him, too many residents still bypass local clinics to visit large hospitals for minor ailments that could easily be resolved at Puskesmas, leading to congestion and overburdened hospital facilities.

“We fully back the Health Agency’s plan to renovate and revitalize Puskesmas, so our major hospitals are not overwhelmed by patient crowds,” he added.

Besides facility upgrades, Subki stressed the need to improve healthcare staff capabilities, urging clinic workers to deliver friendly, responsive, and patient-focused services.

He also called for strengthening specialized care in city-run hospitals so regional facilities can handle serious medical conditions independently of national-level institutions.

As an example, he pointed to the cancer and stroke treatment programs at Pasar Minggu Regional General Hospital (RSUD), which aim to broaden public access to complete healthcare solutions.

“We shouldn't place the entire burden on national hospitals. Our regional hospitals can and should provide treatment for severe diseases as well,” he added.