Indonesia: On the Way to Universal Health Care

-Indonesia has been building a National Social Security System since 2004. Formal action to build the health component in the system (National Social Health Insurance Scheme, or JKN) started in 2005. In line with the JKN roadmap, full achievement of Universal Health Care is not expected until 2019. Preparations before the launch of JKN on 1 January 2014 involved multi-level and multi-sector efforts related to issues of equity of access, coverage, finance, quality of care (infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, medical education), management information, and fees and tariffs. This commentary by Indonesia's Minister of Health examines the preparations and first eight months of JKN, and briefly discusses these various issues as well as the policy and practices in place at the time of launch. The article includes information on the early implementation of JKN and four lessons learned from the Indonesian experience of developing and launching national social health insurance: the importance of strong political commitment; the role of comprehensive analysis of the national health system; the use of multiparty participation in developing and implementing the plans; and the importance of systematic, continuous monitoring and evaluation from technical and administrative perspectives as well as patient satisfaction, to assure progress toward Universal Health Care.