BSKDN Head Yusharto Huntoyungo stated in a press release received on Friday that by strengthening innovation, especially in the use of technology or other adequate new ways, regional governments can hold activities at lower cost.
“For example, waste management in community health centers (puskesmas) or hospitals. With new ways, it can reduce the existing budget. On average, waste water treatment plant (WWTP) in hospitals can save hundreds of millions (of rupiah) per year,” he noted.
Huntoyungo made the statement during a working visit to Gowa District, South Sulawesi, on Friday.
He cited as an example that Bukittinggi City, West Sumatra, is one of the regions that had succeeded in implementing WWTP at hospitals in their region.
He explained that before implementing WWTP, a hospital in Bukittinggi spent up to Rp1.5 billion (around US$102,224) a year to manage waste.
When the innovation began to be implemented, the cost borne by the hospital declined to Rp750 million (around US$51,112).
“The money returns to the office for new activities or to improve the scale of the activities. This is the effect of innovation in budget efficiency of the regional government,” he remarked.
On the same occasion, he stated that the BSKDN continues to make efforts, so that research and development (Litbang) agencies in regions or officials in regions that handle innovation research and development affairs can become part of the regional budget preparation team.
Thus, Litbang agencies can partake in formulating the budget in accordance with the need of their respective regions.
He emphasized that the agencies must be able to assess the suitability of the budget.
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Translator: Tri Meilani, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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