Highlighting Cases Of Sexual Harassment, Minister Of Health Urges Improvement Of PPDS Recruitment

JAKARTA - The Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Budi Gunadi Sadikin expressed his concern over the rampant violations of ethics and cases of sexual violence involving participants of the Specialist Doctor Education Program (PPDS).

In a press conference held online on Monday, April 21, 2025, Minister of Health Budi firmly stated that this kind of incident was very regrettable, especially because it occurred in the world of medicine which should uphold ethical, integrity and humanitarian values.

"It is really very concerning and I regret it, the events that have an impact, not only for students, but for all of the community," said Minister of Health Budi in an online press conference on the Ministry of Health's YouTube channel.

This statement responds to a series of cases of sexual violence involving PPDS participants in several well-known medical institutions. One of the cases that became public attention was the rape carried out by an anesthetist at Hasan Sadikin Hospital (RSHS) Bandung, Priguna Anugerah Pratama.

This incident opened the veil of similar violations in the educational environment of specialist doctors, including cases of alleged harassment by PPDS participants at the University of Indonesia who allegedly recorded a student while taking a bath. The police have also named the person as a suspect.

Responding to this condition, Minister of Health Budi emphasized the need for a thorough improvement to the education system of specialist doctors in Indonesia. He considered that reforms should be carried out seriously, systematically, and concretely in order to create a safe and professional learning environment, both for students and the people they serve.

"We feel there must be serious, systematic, and concrete improvements to the education of this specialist doctor program," he said.

One of the first steps that will be implemented is the obligation of psychological tests for all PPDS participants before undergoing the education program. According to Budi, this is important to know the mental condition and emotional readiness of prospective specialist doctors in undergoing the educational process as well as in providing health services to the public.

"We want to make sure that the mental condition of the PPDS participants is really ready. Don't let anyone mentally not be ready, but still accept it. This is a high risk for patients and colleagues," he explained.

In addition, the Minister of Health also encourages transparency in the recruitment process for PPDS participants. He emphasized the importance of objective selection, without special treatment or preference that could lead to mischoose of candidates.

Budi also highlighted the pattern of supervision in PPDS education which currently tends to be carried out by senior consulan, which he said often ignores aspects of the quality of coaching.

"PPDS in hospitals should not be handled directly by consulan, but through more structured and professional guidance. Otherwise, the quality of education will not be maximized," said the Minister of Health.

Another highlight that is no less important is regarding the excessive workload experienced by PPDS participants. Minister of Health Budi regretted the excessive work practices that were often justified as mental training, even though according to him it was not in accordance with existing regulations related to the working hours of health workers.

He also criticized inappropriate practices such as ordering PPDS participants to perform non-medical tasks, such as encouraging patient beds, taking laboratory results, or taking medicine from hospital pharmacies.

"That's not their job," he said firmly.

Furthermore, the Minister of Health plans to form a routine forum that involves him and the PPDS participants directly. The goal is to monitor the welfare and mental and physical health of these young doctors.

"I will commit to giving them time to meet, so that we can monitor their well-being. This is important to create a healthy learning environment," he said.

As a concrete form of support for the welfare of PPDS participants, the Ministry of Health also plans to grant temporary practice permits as general practitioners to program participants. Thus, the residents can still earn income during their education period.

"I have asked the Director General of Health Workers, so that we give PPDS participants a Practice Permit (SIP) as general practitioners. So they can practice, have income, and do not fully depend on education hospitals," concluded the Minister of Health.