Three Intern Doctors Die, Health Ministry Denies Excessive Workload Claims

Jakarta, VIVA – The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has addressed the deaths of three intern doctors who passed away in close proximity but at different locations.

Director General of Human Resources for Health at Kemenkes, Yuli Farianti, stated that the three cases of intern doctor deaths were not due to excessive workloads.

This was revealed in response to circulating news on various social media platforms about intern doctors dying from overwork.

“One, no indications of excessive workload due to shift schedules were found. The total working hours for each of these three were less than 40 hours per week,” said Yuli, quoted from ANTARA, on Monday, 30 March 2026.

In the first case, said Yuli, the intern had been training for six months at Pagelaran Hospital and six months at Sukanagara Community Health Centre in Cianjur, West Java. On 8 March 2026, the intern handled a measles case, and on 18 March, they experienced symptoms of fever, flu, and cough.

The supervisor granted leave from 19-21 March, said Yuli, but the intern continued working because they were diligent. While on duty, the intern handled four suspected measles patients.

From 22-25 March, the intern took leave due to illness and underwent self-care at home. On 25 March, there was a decrease in consciousness, and finally, on 26 March, the intern passed away with a final diagnosis of measles along with heart and brain disorders.

In the second case, said Yuli, from 20-22 February 2026, the intern experienced pain, fever, and diarrhoea. According to the medical history, the intern was suspected of having anaemia. The intern had previously been granted 25 days of sick leave.

“Granted by the supervisor, even for 25 days, from 2 to 27 October. Then on 23 February 2026, the intern entered the emergency department of Bina Bakti Husada Hospital,” she said.

The intern was referred on 24 March to Sutomo Hospital in Surabaya, before being declared deceased on 25 March 2026. For the second case, she said, there is no definitive diagnosis yet, but preliminary suspicion is due to anaemia.

In the third case, continued Yuli, on 9 March, the intern showed symptoms of fever, but blood lab results were normal. From 10-12 March, the intern requested leave due to illness. The intern was offered hospitalisation but refused and chose to stay in their accommodation.