According to the ministry, the suspension was part of an effort to evaluate the education system.
In a statement on Saturday, the ministry's Head of Health Communication and Public Service Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, said the suspension aimed to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and improvements in the specialist doctor education system, especially those organized by Unpad at RSHS.
The temporary suspension followed a case of sexual violence against a patient's family committed by the suspect Priguna Anugerah P, a participant in the Anesthesiology PPDS of the Faculty of Medicine, Padjajaran University.
"We are focusing on the handling of the case together with Unpad and the police in order to make improvements in the future, to prevent similar cases from recurring," Muhawarman remarked.
He mentioned that this step was the result of coordination and was fully supported by Unpad as an academic institution that organizes medical education.
Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono, on April 10, said his party had temporarily suspended the PPDS activity in Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy at the Faculty of Medicine of Padjajaran University at RSHS for one month for evaluation.
In addition, his party will also work with anesthesia collegiums to conduct The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test to check the mental health of participants.
On Friday, April 11, the General Chairperson of the Association of Indonesian Medical Education Institutions (AIPKI), Budi Santoso, expressed his hope for the ministry to take wiser and fairer steps that support the sustainability of medical education.
He noted that the ministry has suspended PPDS activity three times. This step is considered inappropriate because it can hinder the education process and disrupt health services, considering that Indonesia is currently lacking specialist doctors.
Earlier this week, the West Java Regional Police had arrested the perpetrator. From the initial investigation, the police found indications of abnormal sexual behavior in the perpetrator.
Unpad Chancellor, Professor Arief S. Kartasasmita, expelled the student and said that the decision reflects the institution's firm stance in responding to sexual violence allegations and violations of the law and norms.
Related news: RI Govt prescribes mental health tests for PPDS students
Related news: Unpad expels PPDS student over sexual violence
Translator: Mecca Yumna, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
