Strange But Real! BPJS Health Nominated For Nobel Peace Maybe Because The Patients Learn To Be Patient

Illustration of BPJS Kesehatan (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - BPJS Kesehatan made an important history because it was listed as the first Indonesian organization to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year. This was conveyed directly by the President Director of BPJS Kesehatan Ali Ghufron Mukti.

"Since Indonesia's independence, this marks the first time an Indonesian institution has been nominated for a Nobel Prize," Mukti said in Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, October 18.

He said that the BPJS Health nomination was proposed by the Center for Peace and Security from Coventry University, England.

According to Ghufron, the nomination of BPJS Kesehatan is based on the principle of mutual cooperation which is at the core of the national health insurance program and reflects the values of peace and humanity because it opens wider opportunities for people to need to be able to access health services.

"Human nature is upheld when fellow humans help each other. With the spirit of mutual cooperation, the rich help the poor and the healthy help the sick. Likewise, young people help the elderly," he added.

He considered that, compared to the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize-winning Bank which was founded by Muhammad Yunus from Bangladesh, BPJS Kesehatan from Indonesia actually had a much greater positive impact on society.

"When compared to Grameen Bank Bangladesh, which received the Nobel Peace Prize, BPJS Kesehatan offers greater benefits to everyone," concluded Ghufron.

However, in the midst of pride for this international achievement, a number of circles considered that there was still a large homework that had to be completed by BPJS Kesehatan, especially related to services in the field. One of the problems that participants often complain about is the length of the queue at health facilities.

Public policy observer, Sarite Rukmini, assesses that international awards and nominations should be a momentum for evaluation for BPJS to improve the basic service system, including queue management and communication with participants.

"This achievement should be appreciated, but the public also hopes that BPJS can be more alert to fix the queue problems that are still often complained about. Success at the global level should be directly proportional to the convenience of domestic participants," said Sarite.

According to him, the sustainability of the health insurance program is not only measured by the expansion of coverage, but also from the quality of services felt directly by the community in hospitals and clinics.