"Most importantly, we need the addition of (more number of) health workers in the community health center (puskesmas) with general practitioners, dentists, nurses, midwives, environmental health staff, nutritionists, staff at laboratories, pharmacists, and for health promotion," Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono noted in a written statement received here, Tuesday.
Harbuwono remarked that the role of Poltekkes was effective in increasing the quota for new student admissions, improving types of study programs, and opening international classes.
"This Poltekkes has a lot of potential that can be developed. People are also excited with this development. We must push it to be better," he remarked while visiting the ministry's Poltekkes in Padang, West Sumatra, Monday (February 27).
Harbuwono called for the pressing need to increase the capacity for student admissions, as the ratio of student admissions at Poltekkes Padang was still small, as compared to the large number of applicants.
He pointed out that in 2022, the number of applicants for the ministry's Poltekkes had reached eight thousand while only accepting 790 people. Hence, the ministry decided to increase the enrollment quota.
"There are a lot of people interested in this Poltekkes. Currently, the ratio is 1:18, out of eight thousand people who have registered, only 700 people have been accepted. We ask for more quota," he stated.
Harbuwono remarked that in addition to increasing the capacity for student admissions, Padang Poltekkes is encouraged to add two study programs: Medical Laboratory Technology Expert (ATLM) and pharmacy.
He emphasized that the study program was urgently needed to help the government meet the qualification of the health workforce that must be available at puskesmas.
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He also encouraged the Poltekkes to open international classes for existing study programs that should be followed by improving language skills in accordance with the destination country.
"We also encourage the development of an international class, which will be able to send nurses to various countries, including Japan. For the education system, the students must be able to speak the language of the destination country," he noted.
Meanwhile, director of Padang Poltekkes, Renidayanti, said that Padang Poltekkes is committed to realizing these three focus areas.
"In 2023, we are ready to add 600-700 to the students' quota, so the number of our students will reach 1,400, with a 1:21 ratio," Renidayanti stated.
She noted that additional study programs are also being prepared and readied to be implemented starting this year.
Renidayanti said that the international class would be opened for the 2023-2024 school year. To this end, several facilities and infrastructure have been prepared to support the new program.
"We have also prepared learning facilities. This year, we will also open student admissions for an international class, which is one class for the nursing department, with a quota of 40 people," she stated.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
