Thousands of Prospective Doctors Risk Failing Professional Qualification, UGM Expert Urges Government Solution
Indonesia is currently facing a major challenge in meeting the ideal number of doctors. Amid efforts to improve the ratio of medical personnel, a polemic has emerged regarding thousands of prospective doctors who risk failing to obtain their professional degrees, despite having completed the entire educational sequence. This situation is considered not merely an administrative issue, but a structural problem with broad implications for the fulfilment of national healthcare workforce needs.
These prospective doctors, known as retakers, have effectively finished all stages of medical education, from academic studies and professional programmes (clinical rotations) to clinical clerkships and graduation ceremonies. Most have even taken the Hippocratic Oath and hold certificates of completion. However, they are blocked from receiving their professional diplomas because they have not yet passed the final stage: the National Competency Examination for Medical Students (UKMPPD).
Responding to this phenomenon, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) health law expert Rimawati stated that the retaker issue must be viewed comprehensively. Philosophically, the UKMPPD serves as a state instrument to guarantee the competency standards of medical personnel for the sake of patient safety. “Health is a mandate given by the constitution to the state to ensure protection, patient safety, security, and the provision of health services to the community,” Rimawati said at the UGM campus on Friday.
She explained that under Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health, the government plays a role akin to a right-angled triangle. On one side, the government is obliged to protect the rights of prospective medical workers, while on the other, it must protect the community as recipients of health services.
Rimawati stressed that the high number of retakers should not be blamed entirely on individual students. Educational institutions must also bear responsibility by evaluating their learning processes and the quality of graduates they produce. She highlighted several crucial points, including the need for transparency and institutional accountability.
Regarding potential lawsuits from retakers, Rimawati acknowledged that every citizen has that right. However, she affirmed that the obligation to pass the competency examination is firmly grounded in national regulations. She urged the government to present solutions that are not solely oriented towards sanctions or termination of studies. “The government must also seek solutions. What is the status of these doctors who do not pass the competency exam?” she added.
She recommended identifying the background of each participant, including considering the period of inactivity after completing professional education but before taking the UKMPPD. Transparency and accountability of educational institutions are key to resolving the predicament of these thousands of prospective doctors for the future of Indonesia’s health services.