Jokowi Asks For PCR Price Of IDR 450-Rp550 Thousand, House of Representatives Members: Still Expensive

President Joko Widodo (Photo: RI Cabinet Secretariat)

JAKARTA - House of Representatives Commission VI member, Achmad Baidowi, spoke about President Joko Widodo or Jokowi's order to lower the price of PCR tests to a maximum of IDR 550 thousand. He assessed that the price of the COVID-19 health test was still quite expensive.

"Although the price has fallen by 50 percent, it is still high compared to other countries. For example, in Uzbekistan, the price of PCR is around IDR 350,000 and even then for 6 hours. The 24-hour one is cheaper", he said in a written statement, Sunday, August 15.

Although still relatively expensive, Baidowi still appreciates President Jokowi's instructions to lower the price of PCR tests in the country.

However, Baidowi highlighted Jokowi's request regarding the acceleration of PCR test results to a maximum of 1 x 24 hours. He said the government was obliged to improve health infrastructure. This is because not all hospitals have a sample testing laboratory.

"For example, I did PCR at one of the state-owned hospitals in the district, but the results are still waiting for 2-3 days because the lab tests are carried out in the city. This is still on the island of Java, what are the conditions outside Java", he said.

Furthermore, Baidowi said to speed up tracking, it is also necessary to educate the public on the importance of PCR. Because so far people are afraid of PCR, this is due to the lack of education.

"Therefore, socialization and education to the community," he said.

As previously reported, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked Health Minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, to lower the price of the PCR test to a minimum of IDR450 and a maximum of IDR 550 thousand. This request was conveyed by Jokowi in response to the price of PCR tests which are still relatively expensive in the country.

Furthermore, according to Jokowi, one way to increase testing for COVID-19 is to lower the price of PCR tests.

"I have spoken to the Minister of Health about this. I ask that the price of the PCR test is IDR 450-550", he said in a video uploaded by the Cabinet Secretariat, Sunday, August 15.

Not only asking to lower the price of the PCR test, but Jokowi also asked that the results of the PCR test can be published within 1 x 24 hours. This is because the results of the PCR test have only been published for a few days.

"In addition, I ask that the results of the PCR test can be known in a maximum of 1x24. We need speed", he said.