Former WHO Regional Director Comments on PCR Test Cost Cap

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The former director of World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia region, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, on Sunday said the government’s plan to reduce the cost of PCR tests Rp450,000-Rp550,000 must be evaluated as he believes price components and tax expenses must be carefully considered. 

“The price components must be reviewed. It shall not make laboratories be unable to conduct tests if the price components are not in accordance. It must also be adapted to tax expenses, if there are any,” Aditama explained on August 15. 

However, the price ceiling will enable the public to better access PCR tests, especially those who are in urgent health need. 

“What’s clear from the health point of view, people will easily access the tests when prices are more affordable,” he said. 

Asked whether the current PCR test price ceiling imposed by the government, which was announced by President Joko Widodo himself on Sunday, is already considered appropriate, the WHO Southeast region former director did not comment. 

Reported on Sunday, the President instructed the Health Ministry to set the price ceiling for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at Rp550,000.

“I have talked about it with the health minister. I asked (him) to set the price of the PCR test within the range of Rp450,000 to Rp550,000,” the President said via the Presidential Secretariat’s Youtube channel in Jakarta on Sunday.

Read: Reduced Cost of PCR Tests Could Boost Covid-19 Tracing: INDEF

ANDITA RAHMA | DEWI NURITA