Doctor's Fees in West Papua Villages Were the Highest in 2020

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that the average fee for general practitioners without medication in rural West Papua reached Rp 64,130 per patient in 2020. This average fee was the highest in Indonesia that year.

Lampung was second, with an average fee of Rp 63,431 per patient for general practitioners in rural areas. North Kalimantan and East Kalimantan followed, with average fees of Rp 58,190 and Rp 55,095 per patient respectively.

General practitioners, also known as primary care physicians, focus on patients with general symptoms. Their duties include diagnosis, initial treatment, and referral to specialists if necessary.

According to Article 49 of Law Number 29 of 2004 concerning Medical Practice, the determination of doctor's fees must involve the Ministry of Health, hospital associations, and the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) as the professional organization.

According to the IDI's 2013 Medical Service Fee Reference, consultation with a general practitioner costs Rp 25,000 - Rp 50,000 per patient. Meanwhile, consultation with a specialist costs Rp 75,000 - Rp 100,000 per patient. Considering this reference, the average fees for general practitioners in the ten provinces shown in the above graph are considered high.