The Government Sets The Most Expensive Price For COVID-19 Swab Test At IDR 900 Thousand

Illustrations (Photo: Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has finally announced the price of a COVID-19 swab test in all public and private health facilities. Acting Director General of Health Services of the Ministry of Health, Abdul Kadir, announced that the cost for a single swab test was set at Rp. 900 thousand.

"The Ministry of Health and BPKP agreed that there is a mutual agreement on the upper limit of the swab fee and independent PCR which we can be held accountable for to determine to the community, which is Rp. 900 thousand. This includes the cost of taking swab and at the same time the cost of examining PCR-related examinations. So these two components total Rp. 900 thousand," said Abdul. in an online press conference, Friday, September 2.

Before the determination of this fee was taken, Abdul said that his party had conducted three discussions with the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) and carried out surveys and analyzes in various health facilities. For reference in determining prices, these two institutions then calculate a number of things such as services to the price of the equipment used.

"We calculate the cost component which consists of services or human resources. For this service, of course we count doctors, clinical microbiologists, then extraction personnel, sampling services. Then the other components are consumables including PPE level 3. Besides, we also calculate the reagent price, namely the extraction price and the PCR itself, "he said.

"Then we also calculate the cost of using electricity, water, telephone, equipment maintenance, equipment depreciation, and waste management. We take it into account. The last component we enter is administrative costs, namely registration fees and shipping costs," he added.

This determination was carried out, so that the public could access this test in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic while still paying attention to the condition of the health facilities that held it.

Later, the price will also be evaluated periodically and if necessary, the price can be changed again. "We also ask the provincial, district / city health offices to supervise the application of the PCR swab price," he said.

"After this release, we will follow up by publishing a circular that lists the highest tariffs circulated by the Minister of Health," he added.

In addition to supervising, the Health Office will also be asked to provide guidance to health facilities that hold independent swab tests. If later in coaching there are health facilities that do not comply with the set price, the Ministry of Health will give a strong warning.