Without A NIK, Indigenous Peoples Can Use Substitute Identity To Receive COVID-19 Vaccines

Illustration - Meratus Dayak people prepare a meal during the aruh (ritual) of Bawanang (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indigenous peoples can obtain a replacement identity for the Population Identification Number (NIK) to qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine based on data collected by the local government.

"For indigenous people who do not have a NIK, the local government can register residents to be given an identity and vaccinated against COVID-19," said BPJS Kesehatan Head Ali Ghufron Mukti when confirmed, quoted from Antara, Friday, July 30.

The data collection carried out by the regional government to facilitate the identity of a substitute for NIK is the same as that carried out during the general election or presidential election. The purpose of using NIK in the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination is so that implementation can be accounted for.

"NIK as a single identity prevents the same person from getting vaccinated repeatedly. So that the vaccination data becomes valid and the number of vaccines available is sufficient for the whole community," he said.

The NIK requirements for vaccination participants are stated in the Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 10/2021 Article 6 Paragraph 3 concerning the Implementation of Vaccination in the Framework of Pandemic Management.

In paragraph 3 it is stated that the vaccination report must at least contain the number, name and address (by name and by address), as well as the population identification number (NIK).

Secretary of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) Rukka Sombolinggi said the obligation to have a NIK is still a significant obstacle for indigenous peoples to be able to reach the government's vaccination program.

As of July 21, 2021, he said, only 468,963 people from the indigenous community had registered for vaccination, about 20 thousand of whom had received the first dose of vaccination. This number is still far from the estimated population of indigenous peoples in Indonesia, which ranges from 40 to 70 million people.

"For indigenous people, it is difficult to manage a NIK in normal times, especially during a pandemic," he said.

Rukka urges that a certificate from the customary leader, RT/RW, village head, or the organization that oversees the NIK as a substitute for the NIK can be confirmed through a circular letter from the relevant ministry.

"AMAN and the organizations that join this coalition are willing to assist the government in providing data and certificates needed by indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, farmers, laborers and children," he said.