Health Minister Sad After BPJS Patient Mocked by Doctor Dies, Vows to Improve Care

Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has voiced his sorrow following the death of a patient insured by BPJS Health, whose social media post detailing a long wait for care was met with mocking comments, some allegedly from medical professionals. The patient later died.

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So every time someone dies, my heart is sad, especially if they die young.

Sadikin, who was tasked by President Prabowo Subianto to increase the national life expectancy from 72 to 76 years, described each death as a personal failure. "So every time someone dies, my heart is sad, especially if they die young," he stated, emphasizing the government's duty to provide the best possible care to ensure citizens reach the target age.

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So we should strive to provide the best service so they can live to 76.

The minister acknowledged existing shortcomings in healthcare facilities, equipment, and personnel, vowing to continuously improve them. The controversy began when the patient, who used the Threads account @yurizaltrich, shared their experience of waiting eight hours for a room without receiving treatment. The patient did not disclose the hospital's name due to the BPJS Health registration process. The post attracted numerous negative and judgmental comments, with some attributed to healthcare workers, including one from a doctor identified as Elda Putri Rahardini, who has since apologized for her inappropriate remarks.

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Shortcomings exist, and those are what we must fix, whether in healthcare facilities, healthcare equipment, or healthcare human resources.