By: Irfan Nurmaji)*
The presence of Village Pharmacies as part of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative program brings new hope for improving the welfare of rural communities. This program is a concrete step by the state to provide affordable healthcare services while simultaneously stimulating sustainable local economic growth.
This major initiative was introduced by President Prabowo Subianto, who initiated the establishment of Merah Putih Village Cooperatives as a form of commitment to building a grassroots-based people’s economy. The initiative was later formalized through Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2025, which provides the legal framework for its implementation.
Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Yandri Susanto, stated that this cooperative model differs from previous approaches, as it is actively supported and accompanied by the state. Under this new concept, the state takes an active role and oversees each stage of the cooperative’s development to ensure it brings significant impact to rural communities.
A key goal of this cooperative is to break the chain of dependence on loan sharks and illegal online lending, which have often burdened the people. Here, the cooperative plays a strategic role, including in providing basic necessities and essential services such as village clinics and pharmacies.
Minister Yandri added that the cooperative will not only serve as a savings and loan institution, but also as a distribution center for daily necessities needed by the community. With the establishment of Village Pharmacies, rural residents no longer need to travel long distances to urban areas to obtain medicine. This highlights the government’s tangible efforts to provide equal services for people in rural areas.
This marks a form of revolution in healthcare services in villages. Village Pharmacies can become the backbone in the provision of affordable generic medicines, helping to reduce the high healthcare expenses often faced by the community.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Ahmad Riza Patria, explained that the main goal of establishing Village Pharmacies is to improve the welfare of rural populations in a real and sustainable way. One key indicator of this is the continuous fulfillment of basic healthcare needs in villages.
He also emphasized that Village Pharmacies are expected to generate economic sustainability through profits that are returned to the people. These profits will not go to just a few individuals but will be distributed to all cooperative members, creating a domino effect of welfare across the village. This reflects prudence in the use of capital, ensuring that every fund is focused on business development, including the establishment of professional and reliable Village Pharmacies.
Leadership at the regional level has also been systematically arranged. At the provincial level, the task force is chaired by the governor, while at the district or city level, the regent or mayor directly leads. This demonstrates the government’s seriousness in building a solid system from the central to the local level.
Budget support has also been carefully considered. The legalization process may be funded through the Operational Funds, equivalent to three percent of Village Fund allocations, ensuring it does not burden the village officials or community. With this clear allocation, cooperatives can move swiftly to serve the public.
Village Pharmacies symbolize the government’s increasingly close approach to the people. With easier access to healthcare, rural communities not only become healthier but also more productive in their daily economic activities. In the long run, Village Pharmacies will serve as centers for health education and information for rural residents. This is vital for reducing chronic disease rates caused by lack of awareness about healthy living and improper self-medication.
With the realization of Village Pharmacies and strong cooperatives, villages will evolve into new, self-sufficient economic centers. They will not only create jobs but also foster a deeply rooted and competitive local business ecosystem. This program embodies the spirit of mutual cooperation and self-reliance that characterizes Indonesian society. With the state actively present through cooperatives, the dream of achieving social justice for all Indonesians becomes increasingly attainable.
Going forward, synergy between the central government, regional governments, and the community will be key to the success of cooperatives and Village Pharmacies. Collaboration and oversight are needed to ensure that cooperatives truly become tools of the people’s struggle—”with proper supervision, cooperatives will truly serve as instruments of the people’s struggle.”
As an integral part of the cooperative, the Village Pharmacy also has the potential to be a social transformation agent—not only dispensing medicines but also addressing economic disparities and limited access to public services in rural areas. With this same spirit, rural communities now have renewed hope—hope for a better life, fair healthcare access, and opportunities to thrive without having to leave their hometowns.
Beyond the direct benefits to the community, the establishment of Village Pharmacies also creates new business opportunities for rural youth with educational backgrounds in health or pharmacy. This can generate local, skills-based employment while reducing the migration of young workers to cities.
More importantly, Village Pharmacies also symbolize the integration of economic development and public health. When health is protected and basic needs are met, the overall quality of life in rural communities will rise. This program shows that inclusive and equitable development can begin in villages, with Village Pharmacies forming one of the crucial foundations for achieving that goal.
*) The writer is a student from Makassar residing in Jakarta.
