kapus

Kapus is an Indonesian term formed from Kepala Puskesmas, meaning the head of a Puskesmas. A Puskesmas, or pusat kesehatan masyarakat, is a community health center that provides primary health care services across districts and subdistricts in Indonesia. The kapus oversees the overall functioning of the center and acts as the primary liaison between the facility, the local community, and the district health authorities.

The kapus is responsible for managing clinical and non-clinical staff, ensuring the delivery of essential services such as maternal and child health, immunizations, family planning, infectious disease control, and health education. They supervise daily operations, coordinate vaccination campaigns, monitor patient flow and data reporting, maintain supply chains for medicines and equipment, and implement national and local health programs. The kapus also works with community health volunteers and local leaders to identify health needs, promote preventive care, and respond to public health emergencies.

Appointment to the position is typically through civil service or district health authority processes, with the kapus often serving as a senior administrative and clinical leader within the Puskesmas. The role requires medical or health administration background, as well as strong organizational and community engagement skills. In practice, the term kapus is commonly used in government documents, media reporting, and health-sector communications to designate the head of a Puskesmas, reflecting the importance of local primary health care in Indonesia’s health system.