Ombudsman Asks Ministry Of Health To Lower PCR-Antigen Prices So People Can Self-Test

UNSPLASH/ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The Ombudsman representing Greater Jakarta asked the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) and the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) to evaluate a circular regarding the highest tariff limit for self-examination of antigen swab tests for the public.

The Head of the Greater Jakarta Ombudsman Representative, Teguh P Nugroho, stated that the antigen swab test is not only a complete travel tool, but has now become an early detection tool for COVID-19 transmission.

"In this second wave, many families with suspected COVID-19 were not tested and tracked, let alone treated or 3T," said Teguh as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, June 29.

Teguh explained that the Director-General of Health Services issued a Circular Number: HK.02.02/1/4611/2020 concerning the Highest Rate Limit for Antigen-Swab Rapid Tests for people who carry out independent Antigen Swabs.

Teguh said that his party found many COVID-19 suspects based on the results of the antigen swab test and then underwent the "PCR" swab test independently.

This, according to Teguh, is due to a shortage of officers so that the handling for tracking COVID-19 suspects is slow.

Teguh said that the antigen swab test and independent PCR will burden people with lower middle incomes.

Based on a permit from BPKP and the Ministry of Health, the Directorate General of Public Services allows the tariff for an antigen swab test to range from Rp250,000 in Java and Rp275,000 outside Java.

On the other hand, Teguh said that people prefer the GeNose detection test for complete travel because it is cheaper and does not consider the level of accuracy.

Therefore, Teguh also asked BPKP and the Ministry of Health to review the pricing of the antigen swab test and PCR so that residents can do it independently and support the government's efforts.

Teguh added that the test provider is also required to provide an explanation of the type of antigen swab test used, if applying the upper limit rate, then using a "swab kit" with the highest base price.

Teguh also hopes that the price of the antigen swab test will be adjusted and the antigen fee waived for residents whose families are suspected of having COVID-19 and can be tested at any health facility (faskes) to facilitate the 3T process in addition to the need for travel documents.