Discussion of Health Bill Expected to be More Transparent
Opposition to the health bill on Monday was expressed by thousands of health workers and medical personnel taking to the streets around the Monas area and in front of the Health Ministry in Jakarta.
By
DEONISIA ARLINTA, FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA
·4 minutes read
FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN
Thousands of health workers staged a protest against the Health Bill in the area of the Arjuna Wiwaha Horse Statue, Central Jakarta, Monday (8/5/2023).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The opposition to the health bill is a signal that the discussion of the draft law should be carried out more transparently in order that the health transformation expected from the regulation can be truly realized.
Opposition to the health bill on Monday (8/5/2023) was expressed by thousands of health workers and medical personnel taking to the streets around the Monas area and in front of the Health Ministry in Jakarta. They claimed the bill did not accommodate overall health problems.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the delivery of opinions by the professional health organizations was normal. Differences of opinion are common. "The goal of the governmentis to ensure improved health services for the community. I think that is also the purpose of all health workers," he said.
According to secretary-general of the Health Ministry, Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha, all input from the peaceful protest by the professional health organizations would be heard. Even so, the health transformation must still be made for the community, not only for organizations, personal interests, or one group.
The peaceful protest was carried out by thousands of medical personnel and health workers who were members of five health professional organizations, namely the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI), the Indonesian Dentist Association, the Indonesian National Nurse Association, the Indonesian Pharmacist Association and the Indonesian Midwife Association. The action began on Monday morning in the Monas area, until noon in front of the Health Ministry.
That means there is a problem that the government must pay attention to,
"This is the first time that five health professional organizations have gathered together, consisting of health workers and students. That means there is a problem that the government must pay attention to," said chairman of the executive board of the IDI Moh Adib Khumaidi in front of the Health Ministry. A similar message was conveyed by professional organizations in the regions, including Papua.
The health bill is believed not to accommodate overall health problems. In addition, the discussion of the bill was considered to be rushed. Many inputs from the public, including from health workers and medical personnel, were not considered and not included.
FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN
Two health workers participating in the action held up posters containing messages against the Health Bill during a demonstration in the area of the Arjuna Wiwaha Horse Statue, Central Jakarta, Monday (8/5/2023).
Legal protection
Adib said one of the rules suggested was to strengthen legal protection for health workers and medical personnel in carrying out professional practices with applicable standards. However, this has not been regulated in the health bill.
"The state should present through concrete norms that health workers and medical personnel cannot be prosecuted, as long as they carry out professional practices according to standards," he said.
The health bill was approved as a House of Representatives (DPR) initiative in the 16th plenary meeting of the period III session year 2022-2023 in Jakarta on Feb, 14. After that, the discussion was conducted by the relevant ministries and institutions for the preparation of the Problem Inventory List (DIM). On 5 April 2023, the DIM from the Health Ministry was handed over to the DPR in the working meeting of the DPR Commission IX.
In the preparation of the DIM, the Health Ministry held public hearings and public consultations with a number of related organizations and institutions. However, several health professional organizations felt that their input was not accommodated.
"My recommendations in the public hearings were not included in the DIM. These represent the voice of a professional organization," said chairperson of the Makassar branch of the Indonesian Dentist Association Eka Erwansyah when representatives were met by Kunta Wibawa in the Health Ministry complex.
Chairperson of the organization section of the executive board of the IDI Mahesa Paranadipa Maikel said the discussion of the health bill violated the democratic process of the preparation of legislation.
These represent the voice of a professional organization.
Spokesman for the Health Ministry Mohammad Syahril said that input from the IDI and other professional organizations had been accommodated in the DIM and handed over to the DPR. The correction and improvement of the bill will be discussed by the work committee. "Please convey again, but do not sacrifice the people, especially services," he said.
Adib gave an assurance that the peaceful protest did not affect health services, especially emergencies, intensive care unit or planned operations.
