Jakarta (ANTARA) - The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the need for major health sector reform in Indonesia to improve the provision of health services to the people, chief of the Presidential Staff Office, Moeldoko, has said.

"The complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought changes for many sectors," he noted while attending the groundbreaking of Dr. M. Djamil Central General Hospital (RSUP), Padang, West Sumatra, on Friday, according to a written statement issued the same day.

"In accordance with President Joko Widodo's instruction, we have to learn from the pandemic," he said.

To reform the health sector, the government is currently striving to develop hospitals and health service capacity through the standard inpatient class (KRIS) program.

This is being undertaken in accordance with the mandate of Law No. 40 of 2004 on the National Social Security System (SJSN).

Under KRIS, one patient treatment room can be occupied by a maximum of four people, which is expected to ensure optimal comfort and services for patients.

Moeldoko said he expects KRIS' implementation to reduce the number of people seeking treatment abroad since regional hospitals are equipped to provide primary health services.

"The money will then circulate in the regions and develop the regional economy," he explained.

KSP is also continuing to drive the procurement of health devices in hospitals and health centers at the province, district, and city levels so that they have good capability to handle diseases.

The expansion of Dr. M. Djamil Hospital is one of the examples of KRIS' implementation among vertical hospitals owned by the government to improve the national health system service, Moeldoko informed.

The RSUP is one of the vertical hospitals under the Health Ministry and will serve as the main referral hospital for five provinces in Sumatra.

The hospital supports the treatment of heart and kidney diseases, stroke, and cancer.

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Translator: Indra Arief P, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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