Sadikin said the central government will disburse Rp30 million (about US$1,800) per month to each eligible specialist, ending the previous system in which funds were channeled through regional administrations via special allocation budgets.
The incentive applies to around 1,500 specialists assigned to underserved and hard-to-reach regions, under a presidential regulation issued in August 2025.
“At that time, because it was in the middle of the year, the funds were transferred to regional governments through special allocation funding. But not all of them implemented it,” Sadikin told reporters.
He said the uneven rollout occurred because local governments have differing budget priorities, causing delays or failures in distributing the incentives.
“To address this, the central government will now disburse the incentive directly, while also improving the overall distribution mechanism,” he added.
President Prabowo Subianto issued Presidential Regulation No. 81 of 2025 in August, providing special incentives for specialists, subspecialists, specialist dentists and subspecialist dentists serving in remote areas.
In the initial phase, the Rp30 million monthly incentive will be paid to specialists working in region-owned health facilities located in priority areas.
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Eligible regions are determined based on criteria including limited accessibility, shortages of medical personnel and locations deemed to require special attention from the central government.
The incentive is provided on top of base salaries and other benefits stipulated under existing labor regulations, the minister said.
In addition to financial support, specialists covered under the regulation will receive opportunities for career development, education and training.
The central government is also urging regional administrations to back the initiative by allocating budgets, procuring logistics and providing supporting facilities such as housing, transportation and security.
Sadikin said the policy is intended to strengthen healthcare services in remote and disadvantaged regions and to ensure that specialists receive incentives in full and on time.
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Reporter: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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