Fate of 1,023 Medical Candidates Left in Limbo; Komnas HAM to Summon Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is taking decisive action to investigate issues obstructing the careers of thousands of medical professionals in Indonesia. The commission has scheduled a summons for the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) to clarify the fate of 1,023 medical candidates who have yet to receive their professional certificates.
Komnas HAM member Amiruddin Al Rahab stated that this move is a rapid response to complaints filed by the Indonesian Young Doctors Movement (Pergerakan Dokter Muda Indonesia). Medical candidates from various state and private universities have reported significant uncertainty regarding their status, which prevents them from exercising their professional rights as doctors.
According to preliminary reports, these administrative hurdles are suspected to stem from the implementation of new regulations within the higher education sector. Amiruddin emphasised that this situation has left the fate of thousands of medical candidates in limbo without any clear timeline for resolution.
“Komnas HAM will certainly follow up on this, particularly with the relevant party, namely the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, to ascertain the actual problem facing these thousands of individuals,” Amiruddin said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.
This issue is viewed as a major irony for the national health sector. While the government is working hard to address the shortage and inequitable distribution of doctors across various regions, over a thousand ready-to-work professionals are being obstructed by bureaucratic obstacles.
Amiruddin noted that if these medical candidates receive their certification promptly, they could immediately contribute to strengthening public health services. “Indonesia needs many doctors today. If handled well, we will certainly gain the medical personnel needed to serve the community,” he added.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the problem, Komnas HAM plans to invite other stakeholders in addition to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. This investigation is expected to produce concrete solutions that provide legal certainty for the medical candidates. Komnas HAM reaffirmed that the right to work and professional certainty are fundamental human rights that must be protected by the state, especially in a crucial sector such as healthcare.