RRI.CO.ID, Manokwari - The West Papua Health Care Agency (BPJS Health) implements a massive data cleanup to align with national socio-economic standards. Following the Social Affairs Ministry Decree No. 03/HUK/2026, a total of 72,985 participants in the Contribution Assistance Recipient (PBI JK) segment across West Papua were deactivated effective February 1, 2026.

This move serves as a strategic effort to synchronize regional membership with the National Socio-Economic Integrated Data (DTSEN), ensuring that government-funded healthcare specifically targets those in the lowest economic deciles.

Head of the BPJS Health Manokwari Branch, Dwi Sulistyono Yudo, explained in a press briefing on Thursday, February 26, 2026, that eligibility is now strictly reserved for citizens categorized within Deciles 1 through 4.

“In accordance with the regulations, those eligible to be PBI JK (health insurance contribution assistance recipients) participants are individuals within the Decile 1 to Decile 4 categories,” remarked Dwi, as quoted by Antara.

The deactivations are spread across several regions, with Manokwari seeing the highest impact at 32,536 individuals, followed by Kaimana with 10,951 and Teluk Bintuni with 8,747. Other areas, including Fakfak, the Arfak Highlands, Teluk Wondama, and South Manokwari, also recorded thousands of deactivated accounts.

To mitigate the impact, authorities have outlined three primary recovery paths, which are PBI JK reactivation for those who still qualify, transitioning to regional administration-funded schemes (PBPU Pemda), or moving to independent paid membership (PBPU Mandiri).

Given West Papua’s status as a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) priority region, Dwi noted that deactivated participants could be shifted to local administration schemes depending on regional budget capacities. However, he warned that the verification process is rigorous for those attempting to rejoin the subsidized segment.

“If participants are not within Deciles 1-4, they should not expect to be processed as PBI JK members because there are multiple layers of verification,” added Dwi.

The data discrepancy stems largely from improved economic status and administrative oversight. Abdul Irianto, Acting Head of Social Protection and Security at the Manokwari Social Affairs Agency, revealed that many participants had moved up to Deciles 5-10 but failed to update their records.

Common issues included families who still received subsidies despite members joining the military or police, as well as cases of duplicate data. For those choosing to transition to independent paid schemes, the new regulations require the enrollment of all family members listed on a single Family Card.

While a 14-day waiting period typically applies to new independent members. "Those who immediately pay their premiums upon deactivation can have their status activated instantly without waiting 14 days," said Dwi. ***