"Smooth delivery of the programs requires strong collaboration between the central and regional governments," said Kris Dayanti, a member of the House of Representatives' Commission IX, during a session with Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.
The session addressed several key issues, including the development of regulations stemming from Law (UU) Number 17 of 2023 on health.
Dayanti emphasized the need for stronger program socialization, citing recent public confusion surrounding the government's health programs.
"Cases like the death of a child after vaccination and the arrival of foreign doctors in Indonesia highlight the need for better communication," she stressed.
"Public awareness campaigns for health programs need to be ramped up, particularly targeting local communities," Dayanti added.
Minister Sadikin previously addressed concerns about foreign doctors, clarifying that their presence is not intended to replace local medical professionals.
"It is a matter of saving the lives of 300,000 Indonesians suffering strokes, 250,000 who have heart diseases, and 6,000 infants who are likely to die every year," he explained.
He highlighted the national shortage of specialist doctors, including dentists.
Sadikin added that the distribution of healthcare workers remains uneven, with vacancies in nine health sectors in 65 percent of community health centers in remote areas.
He elaborated on the presence of Saudi Arabian doctors at Adam Malik Hospital in Medan, North Sumatra. They are specifically brought in to perform life-saving surgeries on children with congenital heart disease.
Sadikin expressed hope that such collaborations can not only improve patient outcomes but also accelerate the transfer of knowledge in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery to local doctors. Related news: Saudi doctors in Medan will not take over local work: Health Ministry
Related news: Indonesia's Health Ministry clarifies infant death after immunization
Translator: Tri Meilani A, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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