VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

To strengthen health services in 2020, the Government has allocated Rp132.2 trillion for the health budget. The amount has almost doubled compared to the realization of the 2015 health budget worth Rp69.3 trillion. This was affirmed by President Joko Widodo at the Parliament Building in Jakarta on Friday (16/8). He assessed that in 2020, the government continues to prioritize programs in the health sector by strengthening health services and access to first-level health facilities, including the availability of qualified health workers. In addition, the government will also strengthen preventive programs and expand the scope of activities to reduce stunting.

"Strengthening promotive and preventive programs are also carried out through the fulfillment of nutrition and immunization for children under five, as well as public education about the importance of healthy lifestyles to reduce the number of non-communicable diseases. The convergence of programs and activities to accelerate stunting reduction in 2020 is also expanded to include 260 regencies/ cities. Supporting programs for the health and safety of pregnant and childbirth women are also prioritized. BPJS Health and National Health Insurance are totally improved,” said President Joko Widodo.

Furthermore, President Joko Widodo said that in 2020, the government will also continue to provide protection, especially 40 percent of the lowest-level people from the womb to the elderly. For social protection to be effective and efficient, the Government continues to improve its targets, to increase synergy inter-programs, and to carry out evaluations for evidence-based policies.

Aside from assistance aimed at disadvantaged families, according to President Joko Widodo, the Government is also present to continue programs that support ultra-micro businesses and Micro-small-and-Medium businesses. This effort is designed to ensure the smallest social and economic units in the community, both families and Micro-small-and-Medium businesses that need help and can be touched directly with Government programs. (VOI/Ndy/AHM)