Test of the Health Law Material Triggers Discussion on the Management of Specialist Doctor Education

JAKARTA - The test of the material of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health at the Constitutional Court has sparked serious debate regarding the authority to open and manage specialist doctor education in Indonesia.

Academics assess that the expansion of the government's role must be accompanied by strengthening the principle of autonomy of universities so that academic standards are not eroded.

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Jenderal Soedirman University, MM Rudi Prihatno, emphasized that the education of specialist doctors is systematically in the higher education system. According to him, giving too much space to the government has the potential to shift the limits of academic authority.

"The state is indeed responsible for ensuring the availability of specialist doctors, but it must not obscure the academic corridor. Specialist education requires scientific independence and professional governance," said Rudi in a written statement, Friday, February 20.

This issue also intersects with the agenda of the Prabowo Subianto government which targets the acceleration of the establishment of 30 new medical faculties.

However, until now, the realization of this policy has not shown significant progress, especially in terms of regulatory readiness, infrastructure, and the availability of specialist lecturers.

In addition, a number of medical faculties reported technical difficulties in the implementation of the National Competency Test for Medical Student Participants (UKNPDPD) Period I of 2026.

Administrative problems, such as participants who are eligible but have not been registered, are considered potentially hindering the supply of new doctors needed by the government.