Depok, August 23, 2025 – The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) continues to produce scientific works that are relevant to public health challenges in the era of population aging. Cahya Edi Prastyo, a doctoral student in Public Health Sciences at FPH UI, successfully defended his dissertation entitled “Financial Sustainability Analysis of Corporate Retiree Health Services” during the Doctoral Promotion Open Defense at FPH UI on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Doctoral Promotion Hall, FPH UI. The research highlights the financial sustainability risks of retiree health services in a national oil and gas company.
With increasing life expectancy and the rising burden of chronic diseases, healthcare costs for retirees have surged despite the declining number of participants. Data show that over the last five years, healthcare spending rose from IDR 370 billion (2019) to IDR 465 billion (2023), while the number of participants decreased from 58,000 to 52,000.
“Without intervention, the financing system is projected to face a deficit by 2028,” Cahya explained. This finding was based on population projections, analysis of 28 high-cost diseases, and cost burden estimates by age group. The study revealed that retirees aged over 70 incurred twice the healthcare costs compared to those under 56.
To mitigate the projected deficit, Cahya proposed several data-driven sustainability strategies, including increasing the annual healthcare budget by at least 12.5%, negotiating provider tariffs for up to 10% savings, integrating services with the National Health Insurance (JKN), and strengthening community-based health promotion and prevention programs.
In addition, a chronic kidney disease screening program proved to generate cost efficiencies of 1–2.35% of total healthcare spending. Meanwhile, a deductible scheme was deemed technically efficient but socially less acceptable for retirees.
According to the research promoter, Prof. dr. Ascobat Gani, M.P.H., Dr.PH., the study makes a significant contribution by linking demographic and epidemiological transitions with escalating healthcare costs, and the company’s ability to maintain sustainable retiree health services.
The dissertation also emphasizes the importance of adopting evidence-based corporate policies to balance the interests of funders, participants, and healthcare providers. “The findings are expected to serve as a reference for companies and institutions in designing financing schemes that are fair, efficient, and sustainable for retirees,” Cahya added.
The doctoral defense was chaired by Prof. Dr. dr. L. Meily, M.Sc. (Chair of the Examination Board), with Prof. dr. Ascobat Gani, M.P.H., Dr.PH. (Promoter), Prof. Dr. Besral, S.K.M., M.Sc. (Co-Promoter), and examiners Prof. dr. Amal Chalik Sjaaf, S.K.M., Dr.PH.; Prof. dr. Ali Ghufron Mukti, M.Sc., Ph.D.; dr. Soewarta Kosen, M.P.H., Dr.PH.; dr. Joss Riono, M.Sc., M.P.H., Ph.D.; and Prastuti Soewondo, S.E., M.P.H., Ph.D.
At the end of the session, Cahya Edi Prastyo successfully defended his dissertation and was awarded the Doctor of Public Health Sciences degree with cum laude honors. He is the 24th graduate of the FPH UI doctoral program in 2025, the 363rd graduate of the Public Health Sciences doctoral program, and the 476th doctoral graduate at FPH UI. (Promovendus)