The Role of Professional Organization in Health System Reform

Indonesian Public Health Association (IPHA) has more than 100 thousand members in 33 provinces. These members work as researcher, lecturer, and public health professionals at public institutions, private sectors and political bodies. IPHA has been the member of WFPHA since 1981.

The desires in achieving universal coverage of health services in Indonesia is one of the main goal of IPHA. Regarding to reach this goal, as a professional organization, IPHA execute several activities.

This presentation describes the roles of IPHA in conducting those activities. IPHA conducts scientific seminar, attempts to raise health awareness activities through its member, legislative council, ministry of health and presidential office, NGO forum and educational forum both at national and provincial level. At local province, IPHA supports the advocacy to local government on health issues, capacity building of its member, implementation of health program in community, and so forth.

Besides acting as a professional organization, IPHA also collaborating with national health research of MOH to develop research framework on health inequality and health inequity through Indonesian Public Health Index. It applies some public health concepts, such as social determinant of health, health system reform and health promotion approach. Moreover, it conducts political approach through politicians who are  public health specialist and member of IPHA.

This presentation explains IPHA’s opportunities and challenges in facilitating their members and lobbying formal movement to achieve universal health coverage.