Erick Thohir: PCR Test Prices In Indonesia Are Cheapest Compared To Other Countries

SOE Minister Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of SOEs)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir claims that the price of the COVID-19 test with Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in Indonesia is cheaper than in other countries. The determination of the price for the COVID-19 test results, he said, was decided transparently through a limited meeting (ratas) held by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and several Ministers in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet.

In fact, said Erick, the pricing is also based on the results of a study and audit of the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP). Currently, the price of RT-PCR in Java-Bali reaches IDR 275,000, while outside Java-Bali it is IDR 300,000.

"Compared to many countries, we are still among the cheapest (RT-PCR). And this is by the BPKP audit, the BPKP that has accompanied it, not determining the price itself", he said in a virtual discussion, quoted Friday, November 19.

Not only that said Erick, but the execution of the COVID-19 pandemic handling program was also carried out through directed coordination. Where each ministry and institution (K/L) works according to their duties and functions, but still respects cooperation.

"This is also determined by the Ministry of Health according to the main duties and functions. Moreover, in taking policies to handle COVID, it is not determined by the Ministry of SOEs, but through limited meetings", he explained.

Furthermore, Erick also said that certain individuals deliberately built a negative narrative in the midst of handling the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the narrative aims to divide the unity and integrity of the Indonesian nation.

This statement follows the discussion that Erick Thohir and the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, have been accused of participating in the RT-PCR business since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Erick said that the government and the community should unite to strengthen togetherness and cooperation to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. But in this difficult time, he said, there are only several small groups who deliberately deal with conflicts to divide the nation's defense.

"We interpret this pandemic as a test from Allah SWT and behind it all there is wisdom, this learning is so that the Indonesian nation is stronger and independent. All elements of the nation, government, and people must unite to strengthen togetherness, cooperation in facing the test of this pandemic, even though there are efforts to divide certain elements so that we do not unite", he said.

On this occasion, Erick also emphasized that the government had carried out a maximum strategy for handling the pandemic. As a result, it is quite effective in dealing with the current health crisis.

"This has been recognized internationally for the handling of COVID so far and the delta variant which is very, very heavy", he said.