Jokowi Reminds The Importance Of Health Care Discipline: If You Cough At The Puskesmas Only, Don't Go Straight To The Hospital

Screenshot - President Joko Widodo when delivering his remarks at the gathering with the community receiving BPJS Health assistance in Blora Regency, Central Java

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appealed to the public to be disciplined in maintaining health, to anticipate the fullness of health facilities such as hospitals and health centers that serve patients with Healthy Indonesian Cardholders (KIS) or BPJS Health.

"KIS and BPJS cards are being used for the world to be used just in case they are sick, they are free of charge. But the most important thing is that you must be healthy. Food is guarded, especially those over 60 years of age. Take care of what is called sugar levels, cholesterol levels, don't have to pay for fatty foods," Jokowi said in a gathering with BPJS Health aid recipients in Blora Regency, Central Java, reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 23.

In addition, the President also reminded the public not to forget to exercise, so as not to get sick easily.

"So now people must realize the importance of health. What is called healthy is better if it starts early. Regarding diet, sports patterns must be properly maintained so that our bodies are healthy," he said.

The President also revealed that he had reduced the portion of rice to a quarter in his dining plate, and replaced it with vegetables and fruit.

"Be careful, rice is high in sugar levels. I used to eat rice like this, but now I have reduced it to a quarter-feeding, which is reproduced with fruit vegetables," said Jokowi.

President Jokowi said as many as 267 million Indonesians already have health BPJS cards, which even serve patients with severe diseases such as heart and kidney.

Of this number, as many as 96 million BPJS Health participants whose contributions were closed from the government's APBN.

According to him, there are no other countries in the world with a population of Indonesia, which are given health insurance so that they are free of charge.

However, the President also highlighted the problems that arose later, namely the boom of patients holding KIS and BPJS cards in health facilities.

"Well, you know, if the pain is mild, it's like coughing, don't go to the hospital, just go to the puskesmas. Now you are a little sick to the hospital, all of them will be full, later our hospitals," he said.