Indonesia to fast-track 70 thousand specialist doctors' target

Padang (ANTARA) - The health minister (Menkes) and the minister of higher education, science, and technology (Mendiktisaintek) are working together to accelerate the fulfillment of President Prabowo Subianto's target of producing 70 thousand specialist doctors.

"The president has indeed instructed both me and the Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Brian, to accelerate achieving the target of 70 thousand specialist doctors, and we are working towards this," Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated in Padang City, West Sumatra, on Monday.

Sadikin delivered the statement while giving a public lecture at the opening of the Introduction to Campus Life for New Students (PKKMB) at Padang State University, West Sumatra.

To reach the goal of graduating 70 thousand specialist doctors more quickly, he said, the Health Ministry (Kemenkes) is implementing various interventions, one of which is in the hospital-based sector.

He noted that the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) is also working to accelerate the fulfillment of the goal to produce specialist doctors.

According to discussions between both ministers, achieving the target of graduating 70 thousand specialist doctors should take an estimated 10 to 15 years.

However, the head of state requested a shorter timeframe, stressing the urgent need for specialist doctors in the country.

"The president does not want (10-15 years); he wants it to be completed faster," Sadikin remarked.

Sadikin acknowledged that meeting the target of 70 thousand specialist doctors is essential for strengthening Indonesia's healthcare system. He remarked that both ministries will continue efforts to fulfill President Prabowo's directive.

The Ministry of Health has projected the need for specialist doctors until 2032, estimating a projected shortage of around 70 thousand specialists. Accelerating the number of specialist doctors being produced is considered critical as it concerns the basic healthcare needs of the community.