The Price Of PCR Test Is IDR 450 Thousand, NasDem Party Hope It Can Be Even Cheaper

Illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Head of the Health Sector of the NasDem Party Central Executive Board (DPP), Okky Asokawati, assessed that the maximum price for the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test set by the government of IDR 450 thousand to IDR 550 thousand was still considered expensive.

Nevertheless, she still appreciates the Ministry of Health's quick steps to realize President Joko Widodo's desire for the price of PCR tests to be immediately lowered.

"Of course we should appreciate this because this is a form of commitment from the government to handle the COVID-19 virus from upstream, namely from testing, tracing, treatment and vaccination", Okky said in her statement, Wednesday, August 18.

Although the price of PCR test has lowered, this member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) hopes that the price can be even cheaper. Because, she said, if you look at India, testing and tracing efforts are more effective because the price set is very cheap, namely IDR 96 thousand.

Therefore, Okky pushed the price of PCR tests to be reduced even lower. That way, it will be easier and faster for the government and the community to conduct testing.

"Fast testing, fast results will also accelerate the handling of the pandemic. We pray that the pandemic will pass quickly and Indonesia will be strong, Indonesia will grow", she said.

It is known that the price of PCR tests in Indonesia is in the spotlight because the highest tariff is in the range of IDR 900 thousand. In fact, there are those who peg up to IDR 1 million more with the test results coming out faster.

For comparison, the Government of India recently set a price of 500 rupees or approximately IDR 96 thousand for a PCR test in the capital city of New Delhi. Meanwhile, the cost to do a PCR test at home is 700 rupees or approximately IDR 135 thousand