DKI Provincial Government Concerning Discourse On Animal BPJS: Only Expressions, Actually Price Cuts

JAKARTA - Head of the DKI Jakarta Food, Maritime and Fisheries Security Service (KPKP) Hasudungan Sidabalok explained the discourse on procuring BPJS for pets.

The term BPJS Animal appeared during an inspection of DKI Jakarta DPRD member Hardiyanto Kenneth to the Ragunan Animal Health Center (Puskeswan), South Jakarta, some time ago.

Hasudungan explained that the incentive program for pets initiated by the DKI Provincial Government will be in the form of a subsidy in the form of price cuts. The DKI Provincial Government will provide discounts when its pets need medical treatment.

"The animal BPJS limit may only be in the form of an expression, because the BPJS sentence is easy for the public to accept. Actually, we will only provide subsidies or discounts, especially for the people of Jakarta who have pets who from an economic background cannot afford it," said Hasudungan to reporters, Wednesday, June 18.

Hasudungan said the subsidy system would apply when the owner brought the animal to be examined by puskeswan. However, Hasudungan emphasized that this discourse is still in the initial planning stage and still requires a comprehensive study before it is implemented.

In fact, he said that before it was realized, the KPKP Office would prepare infrastructure first. Such as adding Puskeswan in 5 municipalities in Jakarta, because for now Jakarta only has two puskeswans, namely in Ragunan, South Jakarta, and Pondok Ranggon, East Jakarta.

The plan is that the DKI Provincial Government will add 10 health centers spread across all administrative cities of Jakarta and the Thousand Islands by 2026.

"We also have to prepare adequate facilities and infrastructure first, for example increasing the number of health centers in Jakarta. Currently (the number of health centers) is two, in Ragunan, South Jakarta and in Pondok Ranggon, East Jakarta," he explained.

Previously, Hasudungan revealed that the DKI Provincial Government would issue a health service program similar to BPJS for animals. However, this is still limited to discourse.

"That is indeed our concept, yes, BPJS animals. Later we will look for the most profitable scheme or what makes sense. So this is still in the discourse stage, but it is possible that later we will also realize it optimally," said Hasudungan, some time ago.

"So maybe in the future, we will provide special discounts for the underprivileged, but not free," he continued.

Responding to this, Member of Commission C of the Jakarta DPRD, Hardiyanto Kenneth, encouraged a discourse on similar services to BPJS animals for underprivileged owners. Because, he considered that not all animal owners in Jakarta had adequate economic conditions.

"Not all animal owners have a capable background. Sometimes what they rescue is stray cats and stray dogs, usually they will also take care of them. They are at the forefront of assistance to domestic animals," explained Kenneth.