Health Ministry awaits regional submissions to place doctors in DTPK, Aceh

For remote areas, they are waiting for requests from local governments, said Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono in Banda Aceh on Friday. The statement was made at a press conference after he reviewed the immunization programme at Panteriek Posyandu and Puskesmas Batoh in Banda Aceh City.

He said the Ministry of Health continues to strive to meet health workforce needs in remote areas, including general practitioners and specialists, with one avenue being through special assignments. Under this special assignment, he said, the Ministry provides substantial incentives for doctors assigned to Puskesmas in remote areas, and the funds have been approved by the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu).

“Thus they (the assigned doctors) will be financially guaranteed,” he added.

He also noted that specialist doctors under the special assignment in DTPK would receive an incentive of Rp30 million per month; the allocation has also been approved by President Prabowo Subianto.

According to the Deputy Health Minister, when totalled, a specialist doctor in DTPK could earn a minimum monthly salary of Rp60 million, with Rp30 million from the central government and Rp30 million from local government.

“There is also housing provided, plus service allowances, and they could practice in the evening; total could be up to Rp80- Rp100 million per month,” he said. “This is to ensure they are willing to be placed in remote areas, especially in Aceh.”

However, he reminded that deployment of these specialist doctors under the special assignment can only be carried out by the Ministry of Health after there is a direct request from the region in need. “We are waiting for the regional government’s submissions for deployment to remote areas,” said Dante Saksono.