JAKARTA, The Kabar News—Indonesia is testing a plan to establish primary clinics and pharmacies through its Merah Putih Village and Urban-Village Cooperatives (KDKMP). This plan could potentially give National Health Insurance (JKN) participants another point of access to basic medical care.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said on Friday, Oct. 30, that the government had discussed developing clinics as business units within the cooperative network. Several pilot projects are already assessing whether the proposed operating model is financially and clinically viable.

“There have been discussions. Apart from logistics and trade, pharmacies and clinics are among the cooperative’s proposed business units,” Budi told reporters at Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue in North Jakarta.

The clinics would operate under a model comparable to privately managed primary clinics rather than as community health centers (Puskesmas). Budi said eligible facilities could eventually serve patients covered by the National Health Insurance (JKN) program. BPJS Kesehatan would administer this program.

“Yes, just like private clinics, they can also use BPJS,” he said.

Opening a clinic under a cooperative does not automatically make it a JKN provider. Each facility must first qualify as a First-Level Health Facility (FKTP) and enter a formal partnership with BPJS Kesehatan.

BPJS Kesehatan President Director Prihati Pujowaskito said clinics must meet requirements covering operating permits, doctors’ licenses, facilities and service quality.

“If a Merah Putih Village Cooperative [KDMP] provides a clinic that meets the FKTP requirements, then it can deliver the service,” Prihati said. “Those requirements must be fulfilled.”

Her statement means JKN participants will only be able to use a cooperative clinic after BPJS Kesehatan has assessed and approved the facility. The cooperative’s status alone does not guarantee coverage. Antara reported that the program remains conditional on full FKTP compliance.

Patients must also follow standard JKN procedures, including registering with an assigned primary care provider and obtaining referrals for higher-level treatment.

The Health Ministry issued Ministerial Decree No. HK.01.07/MENKES/737/2025, dated July 18, 2025. This decree established technical guidelines for pilot village clinics and pharmacies.

The decree identifies Merah Putih cooperatives as the operating entities. It also assigns national and regional authorities responsibility for guidance, facilitation and supervision.

The model is intended to bring medicines and basic care closer to rural communities. However, expansion will require qualified medical personnel, dependable medicine supplies and financially sustainable operations.

The government has not publicly detailed how many pilot clinics are operating or where every trial site is located. It has also not announced when a national rollout could begin. Furthermore, it has not announced how many facilities have completed BPJS credentialing.

The proposed clinics could widen access in underserved villages if they complement existing health centers instead of duplicating services. Their success will depend on consistent licensing, clinical oversight and clear information explaining which locations have officially joined the JKN network.