Lack of Doctors, the Government is Preparing a New Medical Faculty with Full Scholarship Options

JAKARTA - The government is preparing a number of steps to overcome the shortage of doctors in Indonesia, ranging from increasing the capacity of medical education to opening the option of establishing new medical faculties with a full scholarship scheme.

The Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said that in the briefing forum two main approaches had been discussed. First, increasing the acceptance of students in existing medical study programs, including the path to specialist doctors. Second, prepare a plan to open new faculties in the field of health.

"There is a policy to increase the acceptance of medical students, both general practitioners and those who are going to specialists," said Prasetyo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, January 15.

In addition to general practitioners, the government is also looking at the shortage of dentists as well as the need for strengthening in the fields of pharmaceuticals and health technology. According to Prasetyo, mastery of health technology is important because the operation of medical equipment is now technology-based.

Regarding the plan to establish a new faculty, Prasetyo emphasized that the policy was still in the planning stage. The government is still identifying the number and location of the establishment.

"What already exists has been enlarged, but there are plans to make a new one. The point is still in the process of identification," he said.

Prasetyo also ensured that if the plan is carried out, medical education will be designed with a full scholarship scheme so that it can be accessed more widely by the public.

"Yes, it is planned to be a full scholarship, a full scholarship," he said.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto stated that he had coordinated with the leadership of Universitas Sriwijaya regarding the violations that occurred in the campus environment which resulted in the temporary closure (Doctor of Specialist Education Program) PPDS at Universitas Sriwijaya which is located in Palembang, South Sumatra due to alleged bullying.

Brian emphasized that any violations would be dealt with through internal disciplinary mechanisms. He said that these steps had already been taken by the university.

"I have coordinated with the rector of Unsri. Every violation will have action," said Brian.

When asked whether the discipline would apply to all study programs, Brian said it would still be checked further.