Ministry of Health Regulates 40-Hour Work Week Following Deaths of Several Intern Doctors

The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has undertaken a thorough evaluation and overhaul of the management of the doctor internship programme in Indonesia following the deaths of several participants this year. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin expressed deep condolences to the families of dr. Andito Mohammad Wibisono, dr. Karika Ayu Permatasari, dr. Edgar Bezaliel Hartanto, and dr. Myta Aprilia Azmi. “The Ministry of Health is deeply saddened by the passing of our internship doctors. We see that there is still much to be addressed in the implementation of the internship programme in hospitals across Indonesia,” he stated in Jakarta on Friday. According to the Minister, the government does not want any more young doctors to face pressure due to unhealthy work cultures during their professional education and training in hospitals. As a follow-up, Kemenkes has established several improvement measures for the doctor internship programme. First, the work hours for internship participants are clarified with a maximum limit of 40 hours per week, and intensification or cramming is not permitted. “We emphasise that the work hours for internship participants are a maximum of 40 hours per week and must not be intensified. We do not want any young doctors to fall ill, let alone die, due to inhumane work patterns,” he said. Second, Kemenkes emphasises that internship participants are not replacements for organic doctors in hospitals. Doctor internship participants must receive active supervision from supervising doctors. Third, the government will improve the remuneration system for internship participants. So far, living cost assistance from Kemenkes has been provided consistently, but allowances from regional governments and hospital service fees still vary between regions. Kemenkes will set a minimum remuneration standard that must be met by regional governments and internship venues to reduce disparities. In addition, the leave rights for internship participants are increased from four days to ten days without the obligation to replace the internship period. Participants can still obtain sick leave or maternity leave in accordance with applicable provisions. “We are improving the leave rights for internship participants so that they have better protection. For sick or maternity leave, there is no need to replace or extend it, as long as the required competencies are still met,” said Minister Budi.