Laila's Fight for Survival with Failing Kidneys

For Laila Ayu Karlina, the rhythmic hum of the dialysis machine is a lifeline. Diagnosed with chronic kidney failure in 2022, the 35-year-old Indonesian woman undergoes hemodialysis twice weekly, a routine not for recovery, but for survival.

"Dialysis isn't a cure, it just replaces the kidney's function with a machine," Laila explained to Republika. "The damaged kidneys can't be replaced." The financial burden of this life-sustaining treatment is immense. Each session costs approximately Rp 2 million, totaling around Rp 16 million monthly for the twice-weekly treatments, excluding additional medical expenses.

Fortunately, Laila's treatment is covered by the Indonesian Health Card (KIS) under the Penerima Bantuan Iuran Jaminan Kesehatan (PBI JK) program. She had held the card for years without needing it until her kidney failure. "It's very beneficial because all the treatment is covered, even the dialysis sessions twice a week, which BPJS has covered since 2022," she stated.

However, Laila's healthcare faced a hurdle in February 2026 when her PBI JK status was deactivated due to her inclusion in the sixth decile of national socio-economic data. This administrative issue caused her to miss a crucial dialysis session. Thankfully, friends and relatives pooled funds to cover her treatment independently until her PBI JK status was reinstated in early March 2026. While her coverage was restored, her father and two siblings living with her in Bekasi, West Java, were not included and are now on a self-paid BPJS Kesehatan Class 3 plan.