November 6, 2025 | 04:06 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Deputy Minister of Health, Dante Saksono Harbuwono, stressed that no hospital shall refuse patients, including indigenous people of the Baduy tribe, simply because they do not have a National Identification Number (NIK). According to him, refusal of emergency healthcare services constitutes a violation of citizens' basic rights.
"Healthcare is a fundamental right for all people in Indonesia. Everyone is entitled, with or without an NIK," said Dante after supervising the implementation of Free Health Checks at the Tresna Werdha Budi Mulia 3 Welfare Home, Gandaria, South Jakarta, on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
This statement was made after a Baduy resident was mugged and was refused treatment by a hospital in Jakarta for not having an Identity Card, or KTP. According to Dante, the Ministry of Health will investigate the case and seek clarification from the concerned hospital.
"We'll handle the subject first, and after, to prevent recurring incidents, we will issue a warning to the hospital," he added.
Responding to questions about the likelihood of issuing a special card for indigenous communities such as the Baduy tribe, Dante said there's no need for a new system. According to him, the existing healthcare mechanism suffices.
"There is no special card. There are public health centers (puskemas) even in Baduy. Referral from them would not require NIK to be treated at a hospital," he said.
He explained that in case of emergencies, healthcare facilities are obliged to provide assistance first before dealing with administrative matters. Currently, he went on, the government is improving the administrative system.
The goal is for indigenous communities or individuals without proper identification to still be documented and receive further treatments. However, he emphasized that the absence of BPJS (Indonesia's national health insurance) or an NIK should not deter hospitals from treating emergency patients. "Even in road accidents, they must receive assistance," he said.
The Ministry of Health will coordinate with the Jakarta Health Department and the relevant hospitals. In addition to warnings, an evaluation of the administrative system will also be conducted to prevent healthcare facility staff from being hindered by technical procedures going forward. "Sometimes the problem lies with the administrative staff because of the system. That's what we will fix," Dante said.
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