Foreign Doctors Allowed To Practice In Indonesia, BPJS Health Allows To Serve JKN If Comply With Provisions

Illustration of doctors and health workers (nakes) in hospitals is discussing patient handling. (Gustavo Fring-Pexels)

JAKARTA - President Director of BPJS Kesehatan, Ghufron Mukti, said doctors with foreign nationalities made it possible to serve patients of the National Health Insurance (JKN) program as long as they met a number of requirement criteria.

He said this was in response to the government's policy of granting practical permits for foreign doctors in Indonesia.

"Yes, it is clear that BPJS Kesehatan can, as long as there is a work permit, operational permit, permit as a doctor, there is a practice permit, and all kinds of things," said Ghufron at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Monday, May 27, which was confiscated by Antara.

Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health regulates the requirements and limits for medical personnel and health workers of foreign nationals (WNA) who want to practice in Indonesia.

In Article 233 of the Health Law, it is stated that foreign-derived medical personnel and health workers who carry out practices in Indonesia must follow the competency evaluation.

If the results of their competency test are competent, they must follow the adaptation at the Health Service Facility (Fasyankes), and must have a Registration Certificate (STR) and a Practice Permit (SIP) during adaptation.

If the results of their competency test are not competent, they must return to their home country in accordance with the provisions of the legislation.

In addition, in Article 236, medical personnel and foreign health workers can practice at Fasyankes provided that there is a request from users, in the context of technology and science transfer, as well as for a certain period of time.

In this article, it is also stated that users who make requests must prioritize the use of medical personnel and health workers of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who meet competency standards first.

Medical personnel and foreign health workers can also provide health services in areas that are not in demand, such as 3T areas and conflict areas.

Ghufron said BPJS Kesehatan collaborated with six independent agencies that manage app-based doctor accreditation for the need for foreign doctor credentials.

"One person has permission for how many places, even BPJS Kesehatan can now know exactly throughout Indonesia, the behavior of hospitals and the behavior of doctors. How many doctors do we know," he concluded.