Jakarta (ANTARA) - Legislator Edy Wuryanto has urged the government to ensure specialist and sub-specialist doctors serving in underdeveloped, border, and island regions enjoy legal protection and occupational safety.
“Doctors should not be blamed due to lack of equipment when facing emergency conditions. They need clear legal and professional protection,” he said here on Thursday.
He delivered the statement following the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 81 of 2025 on Special Allowances for Specialist and Sub-specialist Doctors in Underdeveloped, Border, and Island Areas.
According to Wuryanto, the government’s policy to provide special allowances must be accompanied by concrete guarantees of legal protection and occupational safety.
He also called for involving the Health Workers Disciplinary Council to ensure fair working conditions for medical personnel posted in high-risk areas with limited facilities.
He emphasized that the policy would have a significant impact, if it is implemented seriously, consistently, and integrated with the strategy to make health services equitable nationally.
He reminded that having doctors in remote areas is a key condition for achieving true Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Baca juga: Ministry eyes Scandinavian-style student health reporting system
“UHC is not only about BPJS (state health insurance) membership. UHC will be realized only when doctors are present in all regions, including remote and border areas,” he said.
He then highlighted the need for real support from local governments to ensure the sustainable placement of specialist doctors. He urged regional governments to provide adequate facilities such as decent official housing, transportation access, and additional local incentives to doctors.
Baca juga: Staying healthy core Islamic teaching, Minister Umar says
Presidential Regulation No. 81/2025 regulates the provision of allowances amounting to Rp30.012 million per month for around 1,100 specialist and sub-specialist doctors working in underdeveloped, border, and island regions.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said that the policy to provide special allowances for doctors is a part of the government’s initiatives.
