In The Ratas On Handling COVID-19, Jokowi Again Satire Minister Of Health Terawan

President Joko Widodo while chairing a limited meeting on handling COVID-19 (Photo: capture YouTube screen of the Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - Minister of Health (Menkes) Terawan Agus Putranto was once again satire by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in a limited meeting (Ratas) to accelerate the handling of the impact of COVID-19.

In the Ratas, Jokowi requested that reimbursement payments for health services related to COVID-19 be accelerated immediately. This must be done so that there are no complaints from certain parties.

"The disbursement of this is accelerated. Do not let any complaints. For example, those who die must immediately receive compensation," said Jokowi in a meeting held at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, June 29.

Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto in a closed meeting (Photo: capture YouTube screen of the Presidential Secretariat)

He then ordered the Ministry of Health not to apply lengthy procedures. If indeed the rules are complicated, in order to speed up implementation, Jokowi asks that the existing regulations be simplified.

The former governor of DKI Jakarta also requested that hospital claim payments be made as soon as possible. Including, incentive payments for medical personnel and laboratory staff must be provided immediately. "What are we waiting for? The budget is there," he said.

This is not the first time Minister of Health Terawan has been touched by Jokowi. Previously, Jokowi also poked at the former Head of RSPAD Gatot Subroto in a cabinet plenary session on 18 June.

In the video uploaded by the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube account on Sunday, June 28, Jokowi, who was annoyed with his cabinet because of not working optimally amid the COVID-19 pandemic, included Terawan.

The reason is that Jokowi considers that the absorption of the health budget is still minimal. This is because, of the Rp75 trillion budgeted for the health sector, only 1.53 percent has been used. Even though, the sooner this money is issued, the economic trigger will occur.

Jokowi also mentioned payments for doctors, specialists and medical personnel that must be processed and removed immediately. "Shopping for equipment will be issued soon. This has already been provided for Rp70 trillion like that," he said.