"Not all RSUD (regional hospital) can handle cases of acute kidney injury. For example, Tarakan RSUD can do it, but it does not mean Kramat RSUD can," the ministry's Head of the Communication and Public Service Bureau, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, stated at the launch of Transparency International Indonesia (TII) COVID-19 Study here on Monday.
Tarmizi explained that hospitals that can handle AKI patients are, for instance, vertical hospitals -- Fatmawati Public Hospital (RSUP) and Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) -- that are directly supervised by the Ministry of Health.
At vertical hospitals, the cost of treatment of AKI patients will still be borne by the state through the National Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan). Hence, patients do not have to pay with their own money.
However, of the treatment provided, only Fomepizole medicine for AKI patients is not covered by BPJS Kesehatan, as it is provided directly by the Ministry of Health.
Tarmizi appealed to patients with AKI to continue their treatment at the hospital they are referred to and not transfer to other hospitals.
This is deemed necessary over fears that if the patients were to seek treatment in other hospitals, parties outside of the Ministry of Health would take advantage by demanding payment or those hospitals do not understand the condition of the patients.
On that occasion, she also stated that the compensation mechanism for AKI patients is still being discussed by several ministries, such as the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture.
"Actually, the Ministry of Health does not have the task and function to provide compensation. However, the Ministry of Social Affairs is still considering it," she explained.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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