Minister supports single professional body for health workers

Speaking at the National Gathering of the Professional Discipline Council (MDP) here on Thursday, Mahendra said the MK, through rulings in cases No. 111/PUU-XXII/2024 and 182/PUU-XXII/2024, highlighted the need for a common platform for health professions to strengthen professional governance while safeguarding public interests.

“The MK reaffirmed the importance of forming a single professional organization to accommodate the interests of medical professionals and another for health workers from various disciplines,” Mahendra said.

He explained that the court also established a constitutional transition mechanism in forming the organizations, including the involvement of the government to ensure the process runs in a coordinated manner.

According to him, the concept of a “big house” for health professions should be understood as a unifying platform that still respects the diversity of disciplines in the health sector.

He emphasized that such a platform is not meant to eliminate differences or silence professional aspirations but rather to organize the system so that professional integrity is maintained.

“It is not an instrument to silence voices, but rather a tool to ensure order so that the dignity of the profession remains high and public accountability is upheld,” he said.

At certain stages, the government must take a role in ensuring legal certainty in health profession governance, he added.

Without clear coordination among professional organizations, he warned, the impact could harm the overall health system, affecting patients, medical education, and the future of healthcare services.

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Translator: Sean, Kenzu