"Fellowship for doctors is only one part of LPDP. I know many specialist and sub-specialist doctors, who take scholarships or fellowships," Indrawati remarked at the inauguration of the domestic and foreign specialist doctor fellowship program here on Monday.
The program was a collaboration between LPDP, which is under the auspices of the Finance Ministry, and the Health Ministry.
In 2010, the government allocated 20 percent of the state budget for education, with the initial allocation for LPDP amounting to Rp1 trillion, and now, the budget has reached Rp140 trillion (US$9.5 billion).
In addition to fellowships, the minister expects that the training of trainers programs will be conducted for doctors, so they can serve the Indonesian population that totaled 270 million.
"Let us remember knowledge and experience should be shared with others. The contract mechanism for doctors, who practice in medical faculties and hospitals, can be arranged," she stated.
She requested that LPDP and the Health Ministry create a special program, wherein doctors who undertake specialist education can be taught at the world's best campuses together, so as to make costs cheaper.
"That way, we can improve the quality of our doctors, so that not only the number but also the quality is maintained," she stated.
She encouraged ministries, the police, public universities, and local governments to optimize investment in the health sector that had been bolstered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It is hoped that hospitals can synergize and do not compete against each other, as we can become stronger together," she remarked.
Earlier, the Health Ministry had stated that it along with LPDP strives to increase the number of specialist medical education scholarship recipients, from 600 in 2022 to 1,600 in 2023.
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Translator: Sanya S, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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