Please inform me or the minister, as we pay for this; the government pays for this."
Ambon (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on hospitals to offer equal healthcare services to the holders of Indonesia Health Card (KIS), a free health insurance card for underprivileged citizens.

"They have to be served equally similar to others," President Jokowi stated during the distribution of non-cash social assistance for the Family Hope Program (PKH), KIS, and supplementary feeding at Rumah Tiga Village of Ambon Bay Sub-district, Maluku, Wednesday.

The president has called on KIS holders to notify him or the health minister on hospitals that had failed to offer healthcare services optimally.

"Please inform me or the minister, as we pay for this; the government pays for this," the president added.

The KIS is expected to be delivered to 88.1 million Indonesians who struggle to meet their basic needs.

Medical costs will be covered by the government and managed by the Social Security Organizing Body and will include a monthly health insurance premium of Rp19,225 per person.

Coordinating Minister for Human Resource Development Puan Maharani, Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indarparawansa, Health Minister Nila Moeloek, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung also attended the occasion.

The PKH social assistance was distributed to 350 families.

"Be careful, because you have Rp2 million there. You can take the cash four times in every three months," the president noted.

KIS was distributed to 347 receivers, and supplementary foods were handed out to 1,007 children, pregnant women, and children under the age of five.

"We want to see our kids grow smart in the face of the current stiff competition in the world. We have to prepare for their future from now onwards. We want them all to be smart and healthy," President Jokowi affirmed.

(Reported by Agus Salim/Uu,S022/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2017