Banten (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Health assisted the tribal people of Badui Dalam (Inner Baduy) in Lebak, Banten, to obtain citizens' identity card numbers (NIK) so that they can be eligible for National Health Insurance (JKN).

"Badui Dalam is facilitated to become JKN fee assistance recipients to get free health services," the ministry's Head of Communication and Public Service Bureau Siti Nadia Tarmizi said here on Sunday.

Some 200 Inner Baduy and Outer Baduy people had lined up to get their data taken by the Lebak District Population and Civil Registration Office since Saturday (June 10).

The data collection was carried out until Sunday evening in Kanekes Village, Leuwidamar Sub-district.

Head of Lebak District Population and Civil Registration Office Rahmat Nur Muhammad said that as of December 31, 2022, the number of Kanekes Village residents who had been recorded in the office was 5,211 people.

"The target this time is 200 people to be recorded in the office. The data collection will continue to be carried out step-by-step," he said.

Head of JKN Division at Lebak Health Office Agus Rifki Hidayat said that not all of the 5,211 residents were registered as JKN fee assistance recipients.

However, all Kanekes residents who have got their population data recorded by the office are certainly eligible to become JKN fee assistance recipients.

After the residents obtain their NIK, the population registry office will submit their data to the Lebak Health Office to be sent to state health insurer BPJS Kesehatan.

If the JKN assistance fee is sourced from the provincial government's budget, the citizen's NIK will be handed over to them first and then to BPJS Kesehatan.

One of the Baduy leaders, Mursid, said the Inner Baduy people want to get good and free health services.

"Residents who need health services can take advantage of the BPJS," he said.

Sick Baduy residents will be treated traditionally first and will be referred to modern treatment through JKN if still not recovered.

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Translator: Andi F, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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