POLICY ADVICE ON EQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE: WHAT'S NEW?
We have less than ten years to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the health sector, it is crucial to focus on Goal 3, which aims for the health and well-being of everyone. Despite progress, disparities in healthcare access continue to affect vulnerable populations. Some countries have implemented Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to ensure equal healthcare access. This editorial emphasized the need for targeted interventions, policy reforms, and increased public awareness to achieve equitable healthcare access and better health outcomes for diverse populations.
Keywords: disparities, policy reforms, SDGs, UHC
Rekomendasi Kebijakan untuk Kesetaraan Akses terhadap Layanan Kesehatan: Apa yang Baru?
With less than a decade remaining to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), attaining SDG Goal 3, which emphasizes health and well-being for all, remains critical(Elliott, 2022). However, disparities in healthcare access persist, negatively impacting vulnerable populations(Nations, 2023). Some countries have adopted Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to ensure equal access to healthcare for everyone(Organization, 2024). How effective is this in improving population health and encouraging people to seek care?
Since Indonesia implemented national health insurance (Jaminan Kesehatan Nationalor JKN) in 2014, access to healthcare has remained a key concern. In this edition of Indonesian Journal of Health Administration,(Rahvy & Gani, 2024)highlight significant disparities in access to inpatient care, showing that urban residents in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) are much more likely to use these services than their rural counterparts. With nearly 60% JKN coverage in NTT in 2019, they suggest that the government expand insurance coverage and improve healthcare accessibility to prevent poverty from hospitalization costs. Additionally,(Laksono & , 2024)found that seniors and informal workers face barriers to healthcare access. They recommend policymakers consider travel time to primary healthcare centers in future planning, noting that older adults are more likely to visit primary care if it is within ten minutes of travel.
Bridging this gap is essential. Implementing JKN has increased demand for health services and encouraged the growth of private hospitals, making the sector more attractive to investors. However,(Rachmawati & , 2024)reported that public hospitals still dominate the market share, thus indicating the need for policies that ensure equal access in all health service sectors. Digital marketing in healthcare is promising but must comply with ethical guidelines to reach diverse populations effectively.(Alhudha et al., 2024)Meanwhile,(Rahman & Rahman, 2024)point out the potential of telemedicine in rural areas, such as cost savings and increased accessibility. Despite its benefits, awareness and internet connectivity issues remain barriers.
To improve the quality of health services in the UHC era,(Ambarwati & Dewi, 2024)research on patient safety in hemodialysis units, concluding the need to improve safety measures, such as patient identification and hand hygiene. Also, effective nursing leadership significantly influences healthcare outcomes, as(Abdulmalik & Pangandaman, 2024)discussed. This study suggests that leadership traits such as ethical behavior and continuing education positively impact nurses' commitment and, consequently, the quality of patient care in Philippine hospitals. In addition, research on tuberculosis- diabetes mellitus (TB-DM) screening reveals significant challenges in private primary health services in Indonesia. Despite the promise of health information systems (HIS), effective two-way screening remains difficult due to systemic barriers. This study advocates a holistic approach involving various sectors to improve the integration and management of TB-DM screening in private health services(Arini & , 2024).
This issue also covers studies that address maternal and child health disparities.(Munawaroh et al., 2024)emphasize the role of social assistance programs like Bantuan Pangan Non-Tunai (BPNT) and Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) in reducing stunting rates in Indonesia. These programs, while crucial, require effective utilization and public education on childcare and nutrition to maximize their impact. The study reveals a correlation between increased social assistance and decreased stunting prevalence, supported by improved sanitation and education levels.
A study on health financing under Minimum Service Standards (MSS) in Lumajang Regency discovers persistent disparities in service access and health outcomes. Challenges include lower-than- expected Local Original Revenue (LOR) realization and insufficient budget allocation for maternal health services. This report advises diversifying funding sources and reallocating budgets to improve regional service delivery efficiency and equity(Risdiyanti et al., 2024).
The analysis of NICU service improvements at Fatmawati Hospital quantifies a 55% increase in costs but a significant decrease in infant mortality rates.(Source Title, 2024)This study underscores the cost-effectiveness of enhancing NICU services despite initial financial investments. A study on implementing lactation clinics in Semarang City highlights the need for clearer policies and greater awareness to support breastfeeding in workplace settings(Khalishah et al., 2024).
This issue published an interesting article on the influence of media on health policy. In his commentary,(Ridlo, 2024)discusses the influential role of media in shaping health policy agendas during political campaigns. He highlights the importance of media in addressing urgent health issues such as non-communicable diseases and healthcare disparities. Also, in this edition, the evaluation of smoking policy among adolescents is examined.(Megatsari & , 2024)explore the exposure of Indonesian adolescent smokers (IAS) to anti-smoking messages (ASM) and pro- smoking messages (PSM). They analyzed data from the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) in Indonesia, which shows high exposure to both ASM (92.4%) and PSM (93%). Despite government regulations for smoke-free schools, compliance is low. This study proposes the need for stronger ASM efforts.(Kesuma & , 2024)also recommends targeted health promotion strategies to tackle lymphatic filariasis (LF) treatment compliance in Eastern Indonesia.
References
- Abdulmalik P.P., Pangandaman H.. Leadership Traits of Nurse Managers and Nurse Staff Commitment in the Philippines Hospitals'.Indonesian Journal of Health Administration.2024; 12(1):49-61.DOI
- Alhudha A.A., Setyonugroho W., Pribadi F.. Health Advertising on Instagram: Is It Effective While Following Ethical Guidelines?'.Indonesian Journal of Health Administration.2024; 12(1):150-161.DOI
- Ambarwati D., Dewi A.. The Implementation of Patient Safety Goals for Patients' Satisfaction in the Hemodialysis Unit'.Indonesian Journal of Health Administration.
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