TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Akmal Taher, the Health Ministry’s director general for health development, said Monday around 20,000 Healthy Indonesia Cards (KIS) would be distributed this year.
These cards will complement the already existing national health insurance (JKN) program.
“So, the JKN will be perfected to become KIS,” said Akmal. For the JKN in 2014, the government has distributed 86.4 million cards. The number will hopefully increase in 2015 when the KIS is put to use.
President Joko Widodo on Monday launched the KIS, Smart Indonesia Card, Prosperous Family Saving Card and sim cards for Mandiri E-cash in five regions in Jakarta with another nine provinces to follow later.
According to Akmal, the KIS distribution will be carried out step by step in nine provinces. “Gradually until the end of 2014,” said Akmal, adding that the KIS will be distributed to all provinces in Indonesia in 2015.
ODELIA SINAGA