Govt Issues New Regulation on Medical Specialist Distribution
President Joko Jokowi Widodo on 14 May 2019 signed Presidential Regulation Number 31 of 2019 on the Distribution of Medical Specialist to achieve equitable distribution of Medical Specialist across Indonesia (link: Presidential Regulation Number 31 Of 2019).
The Regulation stipulates that the Minister (who has responsibility on Government affairs in the health sector) must decide policies and periodically create an action plan for the distribution of Medical Specialist on the national level.
“The aforementioned action plan is made starting from hospitals, cities/municipalities governments, provincial governments and the Central Government based on the availability and needs of Medical Specialist,” Article 2 paragraph (3) of the Presidential Regulation reads.
The Action Plan must pay attention to: a. type, number, production and distribution of Medical Specialist; b. health programs; c. hospital availability; d. budget availability; e. geographical and socio-cultural conditions; and f. community needs.
Medical Specialist, according to the Regulation, is produced by professional education of Medical Specialist programs organized by the Central Government which provides educational funding assistance through medical faculties and hospitals that administer medical specialist education programs.
“The aforementioned Medical Specialist education program is attended by: a. Students who receive direct tuition fees assistance; and b. “Students who receive indirect tuition fees assistance,” Article 10 of the Presidential Regulation reads.
Students who receive direct tuition fees assistance are students who receive tuition assistance from the State Budget (APBN) or Regional Budget (APBD) while students who receive indirect tuition fees assistance are students who get medical specialist education programs or adaptation programs at Universities that receive educational funding assistance from the Central Government, the Regulation states.
The Regulation also stipulates that the Central Government distribute Medical Specialists who have passed the Medical Specialist professional education program and foreign graduate students who have passed the adaptation program in Indonesia.
The aforementioned distribution applies to: a. students who have passed the Medical Specialist education program; and b. students who have passed the Medical Specialist education program or have passed the adaptation program.
“The participants of Medical Specialist distribution program consist of: a. Medical Specialist who receive tuition fees assistance from the Ministry of Health budget; b. Medical Specialist who receive tuition fee assistance from the LPDP budget; c. Medical Specialist who receive tuition fees assistance from the budget of other ministries/institutions; and d. Medical Specialist who receive tuition fees from regional government budget,” article 14 paragraph (2) of the Presidential Regulation reads.
Participants of Medical Specialist distribution program, according to the Regulation, are placed in: a. Central Government Hospital; b. Regional Government Hospital; or c. Other hospitals determined by the Minister.
“The aforementioned Central Government Hospital and Regional Government Hospital consist of: a. Hospitals in remote areas, borders and islands; b. Regional referral hospital; or c. “Provincial referral hospital,” Article 16 paragraph (2) of Presidential Regulation reads.
At the initial stage, according to the Regulation, Medical Specialist distribution program are prioritized for Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Pediatrician, Surgeon, Internist, Anesthesiologist, and Intensive Care Specialist.
In addition to the type of Medical Specialists as intended, the Regulation also states that the Minister can issue a ministerial decree to determine other types of Medical Specialists to become the participants of Medical Specialist distribution program.
“The period for Medical Specialist distribution program is 12 (twelve) months for each participant,” Article 19 paragraph (3) of the Presidential Regulation reads.
The Presidential regulation stipulates that the participants who pass the selection of candidates for civil servants (CPNS) are dismissed from the program. In addition, the Medical Specialist distribution program is included in Medical Specialist period of service.
According to the Presidential Regulation, participants of Medical Specialist distribution program are entitled to: a. a medical license issued by Regency/Municipality Government; b. allowances; c. fee-for-service; and d. housing facilities provided by regional government and other rights in accordance with the provisions of law.
Further provisions regarding the increase in the number of participants in Medical Specialist distribution program, cooperation, time period, mechanism for dismissal of participants who pass CPNS selection and the right of participants will be regulated by Ministerial Regulation.
The Presidential Regulation states that funding for the program will come from the APBN, APBD, and other legitimate sources in accordance with the provisions of law.
“This Presidential Regulation shall apply as the date of its promulgation,” Article 35 of the Presidential Regulation reads. The Presidential Regulation was promulgated by Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly on 19 May 2019. (Pusdatin/ES)
Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Edited by: Yuyu Mulyani
