VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Community Health Centers (Puskesmas) has a very big role as the First Level Medical Facility. Sixty percents of the total population has been served by the Community Health Centers (Puskesmas). This was stated by the Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Bambang Wibowo Sp.OG at the National Seminar and Workshop of First Level Medical Facility Accreditation in Jakarta, Thursday, February 15th. The Ministry of Health undertakes a national policy strategy through the accreditation of First Level Medical Facility (FKTP) and Puskesmas to become the first FKTP accredited. The accreditation aims to improve the quality of health services at the community health centers (Pukesmas). Currently 4223 of 9845 Puskesmas have been accredited. The government is targeting by 2019 all community health centers will have been accredited.

“Hopefully 9800 health centers targeted to be accredited. Initially we targeted by2021, then in 2020. I am optimistic we can reach the target by 2019,” Bambang Wibowo said.

Bambang Wibowo further explained that the government does not have a national quality indicator for the Community Health Center (Puskesmas). The national quality indicator is only for the hospital. However, the Ministry of Health will prepare the target of the national indicator. If the management of Puskesmas and the competence of the primary health facility are getting better, then the patients do have to be referred to the hospital. (VOI/Sekar/AHM)