Health Ministry Affirms Doctors Facing Intimidation Can Withdraw from Services

The Ministry of Health has affirmed that medical and healthcare workers, including doctors, are entitled to cease providing services if they face intimidation, harassment, or other forms of degrading treatment. Director General of Health Human Resources Yuli Farianti stated that Article 273 Paragraph (2) of Law 17/2023 on Health guarantees this right, allowing health workers to withdraw from services if they experience treatment that violates human dignity, morality, or social and cultural values, including acts of violence, abuse, and bullying. She explained that healthcare facility management must take the lead in providing legal protection and mitigating risks when such incidents occur, particularly in emergency departments. The cessation of services is permitted as long as it does not involve life-saving interventions or the prevention of disability in emergency situations. Yuli emphasized that the legal protection for medical and healthcare personnel is clearly regulated, from the law down to ministerial regulations.