Press Release : JLN Steering Group Co-Convener Elected 

The Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage (JLN) is pleased to announce the election of Prof. Ali Ghufron Mukti, M.Sc., PhD, as the new Co-Convener of the JLN Steering Group. Prof. Mukti, who currently serves as the President and Director of Indonesia’s Social Security Administering Body for Health (BPJS Kesehatan), brings a wealth of experience and proven leadership to this vital role. 

In his acceptance message, Prof. Mukti expressed his gratitude to the Steering Group members Country Core Group members, Amref Health Africa and various organizations, supporting JLN, including the World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and all other parties involved. He emphasized the collaborative spirit and shared commitment that has been pivotal to his election. 

Prof. Mukti’s extensive experience in health administration and his successful implementation of Indonesia’s National Health Insurance Program are expected to significantly benefit JLN. Under his leadership, BPJS Kesehatan has achieved remarkable milestones, including: 

• Universal Health Coverage: Extending health insurance to 97% of Indonesia’s population, totaling 271.05 million members. 
• Financial Stability: Transitioning the national health insurance program from a deficit to a surplus. 
• Service Quality Improvement: Enhancing health service delivery by providing down payments to hospitals, increasing health service tariffs, and boosting patient satisfaction. 
• Reduction in Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Lowering out-of-pocket health expenditures from 49.7% to 25%. 

 Prof. Mukti is also recognized as a distinguished lecturer at several world-renowned institutions, including Oxford University, Harvard Medical School, and Johns Hopkins University. 

 “I hope I can bring this success story to JLN,” Prof. Mukti said. “I will certainly continue to establish good cooperation and communication ahead. I hope that JLN News and the Country Core Group Newsletter, as well as any type of meeting both online or offline, can always be used to communicate among us, to build new knowledge products, to consult, to assist, and to share practical experiences among JLN member institutions. I’m sure that JLN can be more advanced in the future.” 

The JLN community welcomes Prof. Mukti’s vision and leadership and looks forward to advancing universal health coverage goals globally under his guidance, Ebrahim Al Nawakhtha Secretary General, Supreme Council of Health, Bahrain is the Convener of JLN Steering Group, and the other co-convener is Mr. Dinash Aravind, Senior Principal Assistant Director, National Health Financing, Planning Division; Ministry of Health, Malaysia 

 The JLN Steering Group guides the strategic direction of the network and ensures it is country-led and country-driven. 80% of the seats on the steering group are occupied by country representatives elected by the JLN member countries.  

In 2024, representatives from Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, Bahrain, Kenya, Malaysia, and Senegal are part of the Steering Group. This leadership structure is designed to foster a collaborative environment where countries can share their experiences and strategies for achieving universal health coverage and set the agenda according to identified priorities. 

JLN also works closely with in-country stakeholder groups drawn from key ministries and institutions in the government (designated as country core group), the private sector, civil society, and development partners to make sure that representatives who are nominated to participate in JLN activities are a good fit (i.e. they are in an active role in making decisions and/or implementing policies related to the topics covered in the JLN activities). JLN relies on communication with these stakeholder groups to understand the country-specific technical priorities and local landscapes relevant to UHC. 

Commenting on the election, Dr. Rahul Sankrutyayan Reddy Kadarpeta, Executive Director, JLN stated, “We are thrilled to have Prof. Ali Ghufron Mukti step into the role of Co-Convener of the JLN Steering Group. His impressive track record in advancing health coverage in Indonesia through innovative and effective strategies makes him an invaluable asset to our network. We look forward to his leadership in guiding JLN’s mission to achieve universal health coverage worldwide.  

 About JLN:   

The Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage (JLN) is an innovative community of policy- makers and practitioners from around the world engaged in practitioner-to-practitioner learning to address challenges and co-produce practical solutions to implementing reforms toward universal health coverage. Learn more 

 For More Information Contact:  

Dr. Rahul Sankrutyayan Reddy Kadarpeta, Executive Director, JLN. [email protected]