Jakarta (ANTARA) - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin shared some positive outcomes of the ratification of the new Health Law especially on the health service system in Indonesia.

"We have shifted from focusing on curing to preventing (diseases). The government and the House (of Representatives) have agreed on the importance of primary health services that prioritize promotion and prevention based on life cycle," he said after the House's plenary meeting here on Tuesday.

Through the new law, the ministry is strengthening health promotion in society and providing standardized primary services and laboratories in all regions.

The Health Law has also eased access to health facilities by improving referral health services, telemedicine, priority services, and top services with international standards.

"The government and the House have also agreed to fulfill infrastructure, human resources, facilities, and utilize telemedicine technology, and guard national and international priority networks," he said.

The new law on health has opened opportunities for the country's health industry to become more independent and not rely on other countries, the minister pointed out.

To support this, the government is strengthening the supply chain from the upstream to downstream and prioritizing the use of domestic raw materials and products.

The state is also offering incentives to industries conducting research, development, and production in the country.

The law also caters to building health system resilience for facing future pandemics.

It supports more efficient and transparent financing through a performance-based budget.

"The government has agreed to apply a performance-based budget by referring to the national health master plan," he informed.

The master plan will serve as a guideline for central and local governments.

The law also supports the equitable distribution of health workers through the easy issuance of certificates for health workers' practices (STR) that are valid for a lifetime.

Through the health law, the government is providing an integrated information system that grants individuals easier access to health data without diminishing personal data protection.

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Translator: Andi F, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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