Durian. Indonesian Health Ministry plans to develop telemedicine in health facility across the country to deliver equal health service as it continues to face disparities.
Oscar Primadi, secretary general at the ministry said technology-based health service could be the solution to bridge the gap between people and their right to health service, including in Indonesia, where inequality in health remains high.
“Facing this challenge, we have become aware of how information technology is inevitable,” Oscar said in Jakarta on Saturday.
According to the ministry, there are currently 10,168 community health centers, 2,877 hospitals, 9,205 medical clinics and 30,260 pharmacies in Indonesia.
Oscar said the ministry is committed to the development of telemedicine in Indonesia. After being included in the ministry’s 2015-2019 strategic plan, its implementation would be more forced in 2020-2024.
The ministry has issued regulation on telemedicine, and it has also been working closely with related parties and agencies to develop the service, including with the Communication and Informatics Ministry, the National Health Insurance (BPJS) and Indonesian Telemedicine Association.
Besides technical sectors, the ministry has also been focusing to provide trainings for health workers all across the country through long-distance e-learning, as it expected to improve the quality of health workers in the farthest areas of Indonesia – with limited access to health educational facilities.
“These trainings are for our health workers located nearing the borders and those located outside of Java Island, as they shouldn’t be behind their colleagues in Java,” the secretary general explained.
Telemedicine During Pandemic
Telemedicine, which allows remote communication between doctors and patients, is also a popular choice during covid-19 pandemic as non-essential physical contact is strongly advised against. This, in result, makes the development and more widespread practice of telemedicine more pressing.
Therefore, the ministry encouraged public to make the best use of the technology while the world continues its struggle with covid-19 pandemic, as an alternative to the conventional way to receive health service and treatment.
“The ministry encourages the public to make the best use of telemedicine technology to improve accessibility and affordability to quality health service during covid-19 pandemic,” Oscar said.
