"To support UNHCR's steps in providing protection, later on, the refugees will also be encouraged to get access to healthcare insurance in Indonesia," Mayman said as quoted in the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) press release received here, Friday.
At an online meeting with Director of BPJS Kesehatan Ali Ghufron Mukti, Mayman conveyed that Indonesia was among the recipient countries for asylum seekers, thereby making it a stopover location for refugees.
As of September 2021, some 13,273 refugees spread across several parts of Indonesia needed protection, including healthcare insurance, Mayman stated.
However, UNHCR Senior Protection Officer Julia Zajkowski pointed to a dilemma in the efforts to provide healthcare insurance to refugees in Indonesia.
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On one hand, Indonesia's regulation stipulates that foreign nationals who can avail the National Health Insurance (JKN) program are those that have worked for six months in Indonesia, but in reality, the refugees cannot even get a job in an asylum country.
BPJS Kesehatan Director Ali Ghufron Mukti also highlighted the need to provide protection, including healthcare insurance, to refugees staying in the Indonesian territory.
Nevertheless, in accordance with Presidential Regulation Number 82 of 2018 on Health Insurance, healthcare insurance is available for all, including foreigners, who have worked for a minimum of six months in Indonesia with a paid subscription, Mukti expounded.
Hence, further coordination and consultation with relevant ministries and institutions is deemed necessary to determine the mechanism for providing health insurance to refugees under the auspices of UNHCR.
Mukti lauded UNHCR's efforts to increase protection for refugees, who have fled to Indonesia, and ensure that they receive fair treatment.
"Those who cannot get protection rights in their home countries need to be given attention to be able to have the same security and social protection rights," he added.
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Translator: Martha H S, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
