Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin commended the efforts and hard work of local governments that have consistently supported the National Health Insurance (JKN) program.

"I praise the efforts and hard work of local governments that consistently support the JKN as one of the national priority programs," Amin stated at the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Award for Local Governments here on Tuesday.

He also praised the steps taken by the local governments in integrating regional health insurance into the JKN Program as well as improving the quality of health services and protection for the community.

Amin highlighted that since being launched in 2014, JKN has become a revolutionary milestone in the public health structure in Indonesia.

According to the vice president, the JKN program has resulted in several positive impacts, such as opening wider access and bolstering health services for the community.

"Nationally, 248 million people, or around 90.3 percent of the Indonesian population, have participated in the JKN program, of which 60.39 percent are listed as JKN's cost assistance beneficiaries," he remarked.

He also spotlighted the government's commitment to providing health protection for the poor and vulnerable.

Currently, some 96.8 million people participate in JKN's assistance program, under which the government pays the cost, including cost payment by provincial governments since 2020.

"Therefore, we should be proud because Indonesia is able to become one of the countries with a wide coverage of health insurance, so that almost the entire population receives appropriate health protection," he explained.

The VP encouraged the nation to support the achievement of 98 percent of the total population being covered by JKN, which is stated in the National Mid-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) for 2020-2024.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy stated that the UHC target contained in the RPJMN has not been achieved, so all related parties should work hard in achieving the goal.

"In the RPJMN, the government targets that 98 percent of the citizens must be protected by JKN by 2024. As it has not been achieved, we have to work hard," he remarked.

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Translator: Rangga J, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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