BNPB DSP, Health Ministry: Medical costs for NTT earthquake victims free

EAST NUSA TENGGARA (NTT), JAKARTA, INDONESIA, KUALA LUMPUR, 28 AUGUST 2026 —

Health Ministry, BNPB Waive Medical Costs for Earthquake Victims in NTT

Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday, Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono said the agreement with BPJS Kesehatan ensures that all medical expenses—including emergency surgeries—will be processed under the national health insurance program, with BNPB covering the claims via the DSP mechanism.

“Some may ask where the funding for medical operations comes from. We have reached an agreement with BPJS that patients can use BPJS facilities, and the claims will be paid through BNPB’s DSP. Hopefully, the funds will be disbursed tomorrow,” he said.

As of the latest assessment, approximately 15,000 individuals have been affected by the earthquake, with 187 in critical condition, 914 in emergency-stable condition, 13,881 non-emergency cases, and 162 fatalities. Critical and some emergency-stable patients who could not be treated at local health centers were evacuated to referral hospitals, including RSUD Komodo, RSUD Borong, RSUD Ruteng, RS TC. Hillers, RSUD Ende, RSUD Aeramo, and RSK Ksatria Airlangga.

A total of 391 referrals were made, with 19 patients dying during or after evacuation. The most common injuries included open fractures, head trauma, and vertebral injuries, while other cases involved pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes and fetal distress. Over the past two weeks, 20 births were recorded, all delivered safely.

The Health Ministry has outlined a three-phase disaster recovery strategy for NTT’s healthcare system. The first phase involves immediate patient triage, evacuation, and referral. The third phase focuses on restoring damaged healthcare facilities, including identifying affected primary and referral centers, compiling reports, and finalizing budgets—currently under calculation.

Market Impact in Malaysia While the earthquake’s direct economic impact on Malaysia remains limited, regional insurers and reinsurers with exposure to Indonesian risks may monitor claims arising from the disaster. Analysts suggest that if BPJS Kesehatan’s reimbursement process faces delays, it could temporarily strain BNPB’s disaster funds, though the Indonesian government has assured prompt disbursement.

The healthcare sector in Malaysia, particularly companies with operations in Indonesia, may observe operational adjustments in NTT’s medical facilities. However, no immediate supply chain disruptions have been reported.

Sector and Company Specifics BPJS Kesehatan, Indonesia’s national health insurer, will process claims under its existing infrastructure, leveraging the DSP fund—a mechanism previously used in other disaster responses. BNPB’s DSP allocation for this event remains undisclosed, though the ministry has indicated funds will be released within days.

Indonesian healthcare providers, including state-run hospitals in NTT, are coordinating with BPJS to streamline claims. No private hospital groups have been explicitly mentioned in the response, suggesting a reliance on public facilities for initial disaster relief.

Outlook The Indonesian government’s swift coordination between Kemenkes, BPJS Kesehatan, and BNPB signals a structured approach to disaster healthcare funding. If successful, the DSP-BPJS model could serve as a template for future emergencies. However, challenges remain in ensuring timely fund disbursement and maintaining healthcare service continuity in affected areas.

Details on long-term recovery funding and infrastructure repairs are not yet available. Further updates are expected as assessments progress.

Related: BPJS Kesehatan · Dante Saksono Harbuwono