Jakarta, Nov. 25 -- The Indonesian government has reiterated that emergency medical cases do not require referrals, following the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby in Papua after several hospitals reportedly denied her admission.

Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus stressed that patients using the National Health Insurance (JKN) from BPJS Kesehatan must receive immediate treatment in emergency units.

"Urgency cases do not require a referral. Wherever you are as a BPJS member, you will be treated at any emergency unit," he said on Tuesday.

He noted that the rule applies strictly to urgent conditions requiring immediate intervention. Non-emergency cases, he added, may still go through the standard referral proce...