Depok, July 17, 2025 — In an effort to strengthen cross-sectoral synergy toward transforming Indonesia’s health service system, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH), Universitas Indonesia, in collaboration with BPJS Kesehatan Corporate University, held the 2025 National Health Seminar. Taking place at Balai Purnomo Prawiro, Universitas Indonesia, this seminar carried the theme “Achieving Equitable, Quality, and Sustainable Health Services through Multisectoral Support.”
Attended by several key figures, the seminar featured distinguished speakers including Prof. Dr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, Sp.PD-KEMD, Ph.D (Vice Minister of Health, Republic of Indonesia), Prof. Dr. Ali Ghufron Mukti (President Director of BPJS Kesehatan), Emil Elestianto Dardak, B.Bus., M.Sc., Ph.D (Vice Governor of East Java), and experts from academia and government such as Prof. Budi Hidayat, S.K.M., M.P.P.M., Ph.D (Professor at FPH UI) and Didik Kusnaini, S.E., M.P.P (Director of Budget Regulation Harmonization, Ministry of Finance).
Designed as an inspirational dialogue platform between policy leaders and academic experts, the seminar aimed to reinforce the foundation of the National Health Insurance (JKN) system through scientific approaches and multisectoral collaboration. The event was attended by hundreds of participants—from lecturers, researchers, health practitioners, and students to the general public—reflecting a spirit of collaboration in building an inclusive, high-quality health system accessible to all Indonesians.
The seminar was officially opened by the Dean of FPH UI, Prof. Dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc., who emphasized that the event was not merely a discussion forum but a strategic momentum. As part of the Public Health Colloquium 2025—a collaboration between FPH UI and BPJS Kesehatan—the seminar demonstrated FPH UI’s real commitment to supporting national health service transformation. Prof. Mondastri also stressed the vital role of FPH UI as an agent of change through education, research, and community service to establish a more equitable health system. “We believe higher education holds a strategic role in shaping a fair and inclusive health system. This seminar offers us a space for reflection, deeper understanding, and a realization of the importance of supporting BPJS Kesehatan’s policy directions,” she added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dr. Andi Afdal, M.B.A., AAK, Director of Human Resources and General Affairs at BPJS Kesehatan, remarked that the seminar also commemorated the 57th anniversary of BPJS Kesehatan. He affirmed that BPJS Kesehatan, a social-health entity, has grown alongside the development of Indonesia’s health system since its establishment on July 15, 1968, as the Health Maintenance Fund Organizer (BPUK). According to him, the main challenge in ensuring fair health services lies in strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration. Therefore, BPJS Kesehatan continues to open pathways for cooperation with universities to promote evidence-based innovations, including through scientific journals that represent academic ideals and contributions.
The seminar was moderated by two Professors from the Faculty of Public Health UI: Prof. Dr. Dra. Dumilah Ayuningtyas, M.A.R.S., and Prof. Dr. Ede Surya Darmawan, S.K.M., M.D.M. The first speaker, Prof. Dr. Ali Ghufron Mukti, M.Sc., Ph.D., AAK, President Director of BPJS Kesehatan, emphasized that the implementation of JKN cannot be carried out in isolation. He described JKN as a system that requires cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure service quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. He outlined the framework of health insurance implementation, highlighting the crucial role of regulators in setting benefit packages, tariff standards, health facility payment mechanisms, and determining recipients of contribution subsidies (PBI). “JKN must be an inclusive and efficient system—not only in service delivery but also in financial and resource governance,” he stated.
Vice Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, Sp.PD-KEMD, Ph.D., also delivered a presentation during the seminar. He explained that the Ministry of Health is strongly committed to reforming the national health system through six pillars of transformation. These pillars form the foundation for creating inclusive, high-quality, and sustainable health services. He stated that the challenges in implementing JKN are not limited to financing but also encompass overall health system resilience. Primary care transformation is the first focus, aiming to improve public education, enhance preventive efforts, and expand the capacity and capability of basic health services at the puskesmas and clinic levels. Strong primary care is expected to reduce referral service burdens and prevent surges in chronic disease cases that require significant funding.
Referral service transformation focuses on improving access to and quality of secondary and tertiary care through infrastructure upgrades and a better referral system. Prof. Dante emphasized the importance of building health sector resilience, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and emergency preparedness. The COVID-19 pandemic taught valuable lessons in strengthening logistics and inter-agency coordination. Financing transformation is directed toward a transparent, equitable, and performance-based system. Simultaneously, health human resource development is a priority through workforce distribution, competency improvement, and technology utilization to meet evolving service demands.
The final pillar of transformation is centered on health technology. Prof. Dante highlighted the importance of service digitalization, data utilization, and integration of the national health information system. Technology, he noted, is not merely an administrative tool but a key driver for accelerating disease detection, optimizing interventions, and enhancing system efficiency and accountability. He also linked the six transformation pillars with major health targets in the RPJMN, such as improving maternal and child health, nutrition, disease control, and strengthening the GERMAS movement. He stressed that the success of transformation depends on the collective willingness of all parties to collaborate across sectors. “JKN is the main engine, but its surrounding system must be fixed to truly deliver impact,” he emphasized.
Emil Elestianto Dardak, Vice Governor of East Java, presented the provincial government’s strategy in building data- and technology-based health services. Prof. Budi Hidayat from FPH UI offered critical insights on the sustainability of JKN financing, underscoring the need for efficiency, transparency, and policy reform. Meanwhile, Didik Kusnaini from the Ministry of Finance emphasized that the continuity of JKN heavily relies on precise, evidence-based fiscal policy alignment.
This session clearly demonstrated that cross-sectoral collaboration—from central and regional governments, academia, to financial institutions—is the key to strengthening the JKN system. More than just a scientific forum, the seminar served as a strategic space to unify visions toward a resilient and sustainable health system for Indonesia. Through coordination by the Center for Academic and Community Health Collaboration (PKAKK) and the Kesmas Journal, FPH UI presented a cross-sectoral forum that bolstered national synergy and reaffirmed its position as a leading institution in formulating evidence-based solutions to advance public health outcomes. (DFD)