RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has set an ambitious target to achieve full population coverage under the National Health Insurance (JKN) program by 2030, underscoring its commitment to universal health care.

The target was announced during the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Awards 2026 at the Jakarta International Expo Kemayoran on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Indonesia has already reached a major milestone, with 98 percent of its population registered under JKN by 2024. However, officials stressed that high enrollment alone does not guarantee effective health care, warning that universal coverage must be matched by equal access to quality services.

“We do not want this achievement to become a paradox, where universal coverage does not translate into universal access,” said Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar at the event.

He noted that health insurance coverage would be meaningless if patients continued to face barriers such as long waiting times, overcrowded hospitals, or limited medical services.

Authorities identified two major challenges facing the system. In urban areas, congestion remains a key issue, with patient backlogs causing long queues at major referral hospitals. In contrast, rural and remote regions continue to struggle with inadequate health infrastructure and a shortage of qualified medical personnel.

To address these disparities, the government emphasized that achieving universal health coverage by 2030 requires strengthening the supply side of health care, including expanding facilities and ensuring a more equitable distribution of doctors across the archipelago.

Ghufron Mukti, president director of BPJS Kesehatan, Indonesia’s state-run health insurance administrator, said improving service capacity was critical to ensuring the sustainability of the JKN program.

“Efforts cannot focus solely on the demand side. We must also build and upgrade community health centers, improve medical facilities, and ensure sufficient numbers of doctors and health workers,” Ghufron said.

The UHC Awards recognized the achievements of 31 provinces and 397 regencies and cities that have already ensured JKN coverage for at least 98 percent of their populations.

Vice Home Affairs Minister Ribka Haluk reminded regional leaders that health care is a mandatory public service and a core responsibility of local administrations.

“We extend our highest appreciation to regional administrations that have ensured JKN coverage with an active participation rate of at least 80 percent through the premium assistance scheme,” Ghufron said.

The 2030 target serves as a national roadmap, requiring close coordination between the central government, which manages health insurance financing, and regional governments, which are responsible for infrastructure development and health service delivery. (Naura Sofia/Lasti Martina)