COVID-19 Cases Soars, Government Is Asked To Lower Antigen Test Fee To A Maximum Of IDR 155 Thousand

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The Head of the Greater Jakarta Ombudsman Representative, Teguh Nugroho, asked the government, in this case, the Ministry of Health, to lower the standard for the rapid test/antigen swab examination fee.

Currently, the Ministry of Health has set the highest tariff limit for antigen testing at IDR 250.000 in Java and IDR 275.000 outside Java. This is stated in Circular HK.02.02/I/4611/2020 issued as of December 18, 2020.

Teguh takes into account that health service providers buy antigen test kits between IDR 35.000 to IDR 125.000. Then, Teguh thought that they could still provide an antigen examination with an additional fee of IDR 30.000 from the purchase of the equipment.

"If you add profits, operational personnel, and administrative costs, the lower limit should be IDR 65.000 and the upper limit for the maximum of IDR 155.000", said Teguh when confirmed by VOI, Thursday, July 8.

Teguh views that the reduction in the price limit for the examination of antigen tests by IDR 155.000 should be evenly distributed in all regions, both on the island of Java and outside Java.

Because, according to Teguh, transportation costs don't really matter. Then, the government can also provide subsidies for distribution costs outside Java.

Then, the COVID-19 test service provider is also required to transparently state how much it costs to purchase a kit per piece. This is so that the public can assess whether the tariff is appropriate or not.

"Health providers are required to list them from their antigen swab kit. This is so that the public can judge whether it is too expensive or not. The important thing is that the swab kits from the cheapest to the most expensive have received marketing permits and are in accordance with medical scientific standards", said Teguh.

Furthermore, Teguh explained the reason for his party proposing a reduction in the price of antigen tests. He said, during a surge in COVID-19 cases like this, efforts were needed to check initial exposure to COVID-19 other than by tracing from the public health center by means of an independent test.

Unfortunately, the tightening of restrictions on community mobility makes residents' incomes decrease and they are unable to carry out self-tests.

"Many people in the Greater Jakarta area are not traced after close contact and also do not do independent swabs because of the high price of antigen swabs in the midst of a declining economy", he explained.

Therefore, the Greater Jakarta Ombudsman asked the Ministry of Health to reduce the price of antigen tests to a level that can be accessed by the lower middle class in an effort to detect COVID-19 transmission early.