"The current requirements for applying for medical practice are too long and require large funds, which makes it difficult for doctors to practice," Harbuwono noted during the dissemination of information regarding the Health Bill in Jakarta, Sunday.
The professor pointed out that the same situation was also encountered for the extension of a doctor's Registration Certificate (STR).
"It requires too many recommendations. We will simplify the process, both in the STR and Practice Permit (SIP) as well," he remarked.
He stated that the first step taken was to return regulatory duties and functions to the government.
"It will become the government's responsibility to give a doctor license to practice instead of professional organizations," he remarked.
In addition, the Ministry of Health has prepared a digital licensing scheme to help doctors access their licenses in a faster, more transparent, and more comprehensive manner, he remarked.
"The licensing process will be conducted with the help of digitization. We can track each doctor's point to extend their license and their STR," he explained.
Harbuwono is upbeat that the Health Bill, which is an initiative of the House of Representatives (DPR) that has been included in the 2023 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas), can become a solution for this problem.
On a separate occasion, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Doctors Association (PB-IDI), Adib Khumaidi, stated that the recommendation for STR and SIP to doctors aims to maintain the quality of health through the competence of doctors recognized by the organization.
He agreed that if problems related to the doctor's administrative process arise, then his side will fix it through a centralized system.
"We are very open to improve the management," he noted.
He affirmed that the recommendations for doctors were aimed at maintaining the quality and providing medical services in line with their competencies.
"Without it, there will be a possibility of fake doctors opening their own practice. It will be harmful to the community. I think the government needs support from professional organizations (such as IDI) to manage doctors' licensing and other related stuff. We will be ready to support it," he stated.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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