The Right to Health in Indonesia: Health Disparities and Access to Healthcare for Rural Communities

Abstract

Access to healthcare in Indonesia remains deeply unequal, with rural communities facing significant barriers in obtaining basic health services. This paper explores the challenges to realizing the right to health in rural areas, focusing on systemic barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, geographical isolation, and insufficient healthcare workers. The study also examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these disparities, further limiting access to essential medical care. Through interviews with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and rural residents, the paper assesses the underlying causes of healthcare inequality and their impact on public health outcomes. The findings indicate that while Indonesia has made strides in expanding healthcare coverage, rural areas continue to suffer from insufficient health services and poor health outcomes. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for improving healthcare accessibility in underserved regions, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and community-based healthcare solutions. This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of healthcare disparities in rural Indonesia, with a particular focus on the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study contributes to global health justice discourse by highlighting the specific barriers rural populations face in accessing healthcare, offering valuable insights into public health policy and inequality.