Indonesia develops nine ACT programs to expand healthcare access

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said nine Advanced Clinical Training (ACT) programs developed by medical collegiums are expected to expand healthcare access across Indonesia by strengthening the skills of doctors and other healthcare workers.

"I had met with 72 health ministers, and they all said there was a shortage of doctors. No country has a surplus of doctors, and the public complains about limited access to healthcare services," he said on Friday.

He noted that the shortage puts pressure on health ministers worldwide, as access remains the top priority in healthcare services. He said patient safety and service quality could only be improved once adequate access had been ensured.

"There is also quality or patient safety, along with prices that must be affordable," the minister added.

Sadikin also highlighted the lack of transparency in healthcare service and product pricing, noting that surgical costs can vary significantly between countries.

He welcomed the Indonesian Health Council's (KKI) initiative to expand advanced clinical training, saying it would help address challenges facing the global healthcare sector.

He said a strong sense of humanity motivates healthcare professionals to share their knowledge and improve their skills, despite financial and income-related challenges.

The Health Ministry will also soon establish a legal framework for the training programs, allowing more doctors, nurses, midwives, and other healthcare workers to provide services to Indonesia's 290 million people.

Sadikin also encouraged the KKI to give greater attention, recognition, and rewards to healthcare professionals who actively share their knowledge to expand access to healthcare services.

On the same occasion, KKI Chairperson Drg. Arianti Anaya explained that ACT is similar to a fellowship program that enables specialist doctors to pursue subspecialty training. However, the program is also open to general practitioners and other non-specialist healthcare workers.

"For example, many doctors are currently practicing aesthetic medicine, but their training and legal status are unclear. This will certainly be a focus of investigation by our colleagues at the Professional Discipline Council (MDP)," she said.

Anaya noted that Indonesia still faces gaps in medical competencies, citing the growing use of robotic technology in healthcare despite the absence of established competency standards.

She emphasized the need for structured and standardized training to ensure healthcare services keep pace with current needs and technological advances.

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Translator: Mecca Yumna, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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