PCR Swab Rates Should Be Evaluated Periodically To Prevent Businesses Playing

Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Chairman of the MPR RI Bambang Soesatyo asked the government to evaluate the rate of the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) swab test on a regular basis to close the entry of business interests that could harm the public.

"The government's commitment, in this case the Ministry of Health, is needed to monitor and evaluate the RT-PCR swab test rates periodically or periodically. This is done as the government's effort to prevent, as well as close the potential entry of business interests that can harm the community," explained Bamsoet, Bambang's close call. Soesatyo in a press release in Jakarta, Monday, November 8.

Bamsoet asked the Ministry of Health together with the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) in evaluating PCR rates to consider existing conditions and people's purchasing power so that PCR tests can be affordable.

He asked the government to be able to provide an explanation and understanding to every business actor in the health sector, especially the COVID-19 test service, regarding the evaluation process carried out.

Business actors must understand that the evaluation carried out by the government is a standard in determining the price of a product or service to ensure price certainty for the community, while ensuring that the public gets an inspection according to the price that should be paid.

Previously, Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Vaccination of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said the government periodically evaluates swab test rates based on real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

“We periodically together with the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) evaluate the inspection rates, adjusting to existing conditions. The evaluation process is a standard that we do in determining the price of a product or service," he said, Sunday, November 7.

According to Nadia, the policy was carried out to ensure that the public received an inspection according to the price they should have paid.

The evaluation of the RT-PCR examination rates by the Ministry of Health together with BPKP has been carried out three times, said Nadia.

First, on October 5, 2020, the RT PCR examination was set at Rp900 thousand. Second, on August 16, 2021, RT PCR examinations were set for Rp495,000 for Java and Bali and Rp525,000 for outside Java and Bali islands.

Finally, on October 27, 2021, the government again set a PCR rate of IDR 275,000 for Java and Bali and IDR 300 thousand for outside Java and Bali.

"I emphasize once again, in determining the price of RT-PCR, the Ministry of Health (Dirjen Yankes) does not stand alone, but is carried out together with BPKP. This price evaluation process is of course carried out to