MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Lazismu (the Muhammadiyah Department of Charity Management), BPJS Kesehatan, and USAID Catalyze collaborate to provide comprehensive health coverage and capacity building programs to enhance the welfare of honorary teachers in Indonesia,
The collaboration, which began in mid-May 2024, aims to improve the quality of life for contract teachers by addressing their healthcare needs and providing opportunities for professional development. One of the key initiatives under this partnership is the Bakti Guru program, which focuses on teacher capacity building and promoting the National Health Insurance (JKN) program.
A capacity-building workshop for teachers was held on Saturday, October 12th, 2024, at the Muhammadiyah office of Jakarta. The event was attended by key figures from Lazismu, BPJS Kesehatan, USAID Catalyze, and the participating teachers.
Ibnu Tsani, the CEO of Lazismu, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the welfare of teachers. “The future of our youth lies in the hands of our teachers. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure their well-being, including their health,” he said.
Through the Bakti Guru program, Lazismu is committed to collaborating with partners to improve the welfare of teachers. The organization has already provided health insurance coverage to 69 teachers and their families.
“We have paid the BPJS Kesehatan premiums for these teachers so that they can access healthcare services without any financial burden,” said Ibnu Tsani.
Beyond the Bakti Guru program, Lazismu is also involved in other healthcare initiatives. For example, the organization operates a floating clinic in Maluku (Klinik Apung Said Tuhuleley) to provide healthcare services to underserved communities. There were 2,736 beneficiaries from 2021 to 203.
Maya Amiarny Rusady, the team leader of USAID Catalyze, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Lazismu and BPJS Kesehatan. She highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving universal health coverage.
“USAID Catalyze supports blended finance mechanisms that involve active participation from the private sector to provide social assistance. Through this partnership, we aim to help Indonesia improve access to healthcare services,” said Maya.
The USAID Catalyze program has already achieved significant results, with a 98.5% universal health coverage rate. However, there are still challenges, such as economic difficulties that prevent some individuals from maintaining active JKN memberships.
To address this issue, USAID Catalyze and Lazismu have launched a pilot program in Tasikmalaya to provide financial assistance to individuals who are unable to pay their JKN premiums. The program has been successful in helping people maintain continuous health insurance coverage.
Hartini, one of the participating teachers, expressed her gratitude for the program. “I am very grateful for the JKN program. It has helped me and my family access healthcare services. I would like to thank Lazismu and USAID Catalyze for their support,” expressed Hartini.
