Adam Malik Hospital designated as Primary Education Hospital to meet specialist doctor requirements

Medan — Adam Malik Hospital has been designated by the Ministry of Health as a Primary Education Hospital (RSPPU) to help meet the need for specialist doctors.

The designation is expected to further strengthen Adam Malik Hospital’s role as a referral centre and teaching institution.

“In the initial phase, Adam Malik Hospital will conduct Specialist Doctor Training Programmes in thoracic surgery and cardiovascular medicine,” said Faisal Habib, Director of Human Resources, Education and Research at Adam Malik Hospital, in Medan, North Sumatra, on Tuesday.

Faisal stated that the hospital is currently in the process of obtaining approval from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology so that it can accept specialist training programme residents or trainees by mid-2026.

The RSPPU programme focuses on the distribution and dispersal of specialist doctors, ensuring they are not concentrated only in major cities and can provide access to quality healthcare services to the wider community.

Faisal said the Ministry of Health has opened RSPPU programmes at many teaching hospitals, particularly vertical hospitals, to address or accelerate the fulfilment of the shortage of specialist doctors across Indonesia.

The programme is implemented using the same competency standards set by collegiums as those currently used in specialist doctor education at various universities throughout Indonesia.

The RSPPU programme is currently running up to its third batch, with six study programmes being offered at six vertical hospitals in 2026.

The Ministry of Health will expand the RSPPU specialist training programme to 52 teaching hospitals with a total of 55 study programmes. This expansion will focus on seven basic specialties, as well as oncology, cardiology, stroke care, uro-nephrology, and maternal and child health (KJSU-KIA).