Warna Warni Bali |

Ni Komang Erviani ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Denpasar   |  Sat, 07/25/2009 1:49 PM  |  The Archipelago

The Bali provincial administration is currently preparing a comprehensive health plan that would provide the island’s residents with free health services by 2010.

Titled Jaminan Kesehatan Bali Mandara, the plan will cover a variety of health services ranging from medical examinations and treatment to medication and surgery.

“This free health service will commence in 2010,” Bali Gover-nor Made Mangku Pastika said Thursday.

The Bali administration will set aside up to Rp 300 billion (US$30 million) from its annual budget to fund the plan.

He admitted the fund allocation would force him to trim expenses in other sectors.

“We will have to be more efficient with our budget. Unnecessary programs, such as official trips, will be reduced,” he said.

As well as from the province’s annual budget, the plan would also be financed by the annual budgets of each regency on the island.

“We will ask the regents and mayors to make financial contributions to this health plan,” Pastika added.

Jaminan Kesehatan Bali Mandara, he stated, was the continuation of the basic free health service his administration had provided since late 2008.

With a total budget of Rp 12 billion this free health service could only cover 500 poor villages across the island. By mid-2009, the service had carried out 2,500 medical visits to 300 villages.

“Next year, under the Jaminan Kesehatan Bali Mandara, a sick person could go to any designated hospital on the island, show his or her identity card and family card, and receive full medical treatment, free of charge,” Pastika assured.

All registered Balinese residents are entitled to use the health service, he said.