Jakarta (ANTARA) – State health insurer BPJS Kesehatan has partnered with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to strengthen research and innovation synergy in the health sector to support the optimization of the National Health Insurance (JKN) program.The cooperation was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering several areas, including health research and innovation, utilization of research outputs, formulation of policy recommendations, data exchange and use, deployment of experts, and development of human resource capacity.“Demographic dynamics, epidemiological transitions, and advances in medical technology require health policies that are increasingly based on strong evidence and reliable data,” BPJS Kesehatan President Director Ghufron Mukti said on Friday.He said the cooperation provides an important foundation for strengthening the implementation of the JKN program so it becomes more equitable, sustainable, and of higher quality through research-based health policies.Mukti added that the collaboration offers added value for BPJS Kesehatan in managing membership data, analyzing health service utilization patterns, and addressing challenges related to National Health Insurance financing.Through a credible and independent research approach, the data can be processed as a basis for more adaptive and responsive policy formulation.“Currently, BPJS Kesehatan holds extensive data that can be utilized to support research activities. The data serves not only as a decision-making instrument, but also as a platform for sharing insights, experiences, and implementation strategies to strengthen the sustainable delivery of the JKN program,” he said.At the same event, BRIN Head Arif Satria said health innovations developed by the agency share a vision aligned with the JKN program, namely to sustainably improve public health.He added that the cooperation supports efforts to expand research downstreaming so that research outcomes move beyond academia and are applied in public policy practice.