Jakarta Closes Some Puskesmas to Be Transformed into UKM Centers

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Provincial Government decided to close a number of community health centers or Puskesmas at the sub-district level and replace them with the Public Health Efforts (UKM) Center.

Ngabila Salama, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry, explained that the UKM Center will provide promotive and preventive services as it is expected to maintain public health.

“This is different from the Individual Health Efforts (UKP) which usually focus more on curative or therapeutic treatment,” Ngabila told Tempo on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

She reiterated that the UKM Center conducts Primary Service Integration (ILP) activities which have three main aspects, namely health education, disease prevention, and early detection.

People can visit the UKM Center to check their health according to the above three aspects. They can also ask for health information or healthy lifestyles, get vaccinated as part of the disease prevention efforts, and undergo medical examinations even if they do not feel sick as part of the early detection efforts.

According to Ngabila, the above concept is actually similar to that of the integrated service post (Posyandu) under the Health Ministry. In early detection, for example, the ministry uses a life-cycle system.

“So there is no longer a special Posyandu for toddlers, teenagers, or the elderly. It is now called Posyandu Prima,” said Ngabila, adding that it is the same at the UKM Center.

Ngabila hoped that the UKM Center could improve the community's paradigm regarding the Community Health Centers (Puskesmas) that they not only treat the sick but also serve healthy people.

AISYAH AMIRA WAKANG

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