Jakarta - President Joko Widodo has asked the Minister of Health to implement the necessary norms, standards, and procedures for providing health insurance coverage to patients diagnosed with COVID-19, or the coronavirus disease.

The President made the statement during a limited meeting on healthcare and social security agency funding, held via video conference on Tuesday from the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

"To the Minister of Health: implement the norms, standards, and procedures necessary for providing health insurance services to COVID-19 (patients),” he said.

The President said the norms must cover information on health facilities, service costs, and data collection from health facilities providing services to COVID-19 patients.

Jokowi said he would like to remind all parties involved that it is the nation’s duty to ensure the National Health Insurance system is functioning properly and sustainably for the people of Indonesia in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. (ANTARA)