Concerns of FK USU Professors Regarding National Health Policy Direction
Professors from the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Sumatera Utara (FK USU) have expressed significant concerns regarding the direction of Indonesia’s national health policy at a recent forum titled “USU BerSUARA, Luskan NURANI Bangsa.” The event, held at the Pendopo FK USU on May 20, 2025, gathered over 21 faculty members to discuss challenges in medical education and the healthcare services sector.
Concerns Raised by FK USU Faculty
Prof. Dr. Aldy Safruddin Rambe, Dean of FK USU, characterized the discussions as a moral obligation for educators to uphold the quality of healthcare professionals. He emphasized that a deterioration in the quality of medical training could have negative impacts on community health, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to producing competent medical practitioners.
The professors raised concerns regarding various obstacles that hinder effective medical education, including bureaucratic interventions that may compromise the independence of medical training and the existing disconnect between educational institutions and teaching hospitals. Additionally, they expressed apprehension about the influence of non-academic entities in the governance of the Specialist Doctors Collegium.
Impact of Ministry of Health Policies
Prof. Dr. Guslihan Dasatjipta, representative of the USU FK Professors Council, noted that certain policies implemented by the Ministry of Health—specifically related to the takeover of collegial functions and the unilateral reassignment of medical staff in teaching hospitals—threaten established principles of medical education. He stated, “For more than 50 years, we have been educating doctors to high standards. Sudden personnel transfers without consultation disrupt the education framework and harm both patients and society.”
Prof. Guslihan further indicated that such policies could disrupt the continuity of clinical education, leading to reduced competency among graduates and negatively affecting overall healthcare services. He highlighted an imbalance in authority, with control shifting from academic to bureaucratic entities, which he described as lacking transparency.
Quality Over Quantity in Medical Education
The professors also responded to the prevailing discourse on a ‘specialist crisis,’ arguing that medical education should prioritize quality and ethical training rather than simply increasing numbers, which short-term policies are unlikely to resolve. They stressed the importance of integrating medical education closely with clinical practice, stating that recent policies risk creating unnecessary divisions in this integration.
Call for Dialogue and Reform
In summary, the FK USU professors have called for a dialogue with the President of Indonesia, advocating for evidence-based reforms that promote cross-sector collaboration while preserving the integrity of medical education. They expressed their commitment to opposing any measures that could jeopardize the quality of medical education and public health services in Indonesia.
Original source: https://www.usu.ac.id/en/news/professor-of-fk-usu-expresses-concern-over-the-direction-of-national-health-policy
