JustUpdateOnline.com – JAMBI, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has initiated a comprehensive nationwide review of the medical internship program following the tragic passing of a young doctor, Myta Aprilia Azmy, in Jambi. The evaluation aims to fundamentally improve the welfare, safety, and working conditions of trainee physicians across Indonesia.
During a direct inspection of the KH Daud Arif Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in West Tanjungjabung Regency on Wednesday, the Minister, accompanied by Jambi Governor Al Haris and local officials, sought to uncover the circumstances surrounding the death of the Universitas Sriwijaya graduate.
Minister Sadikin noted that this tragedy is part of a concerning trend, revealing that four specialists and one intern have passed away this year alone. "I am here in Jambi to evaluate the internship process locally and on a broader national scale," he stated during the visit.
Focus on Financial Welfare and Leave Rights
A primary focus of the upcoming reforms is the financial stability of interns. The government had previously increased the monthly living cost assistance from approximately Rp3.5 million to a maximum of Rp6.5 million in 2022. However, the Minister indicated that further adjustments and the standardization of regional incentives are currently being discussed.
Under the new proposed guidelines, every medical facility hosting interns must provide standardized service fees and special allowances. Additionally, the Ministry is expanding leave entitlements from the previous four days to ten days annually. For those who fall ill, the Minister emphasized that interns should be allowed to recover based on medical necessity rather than rigid administrative limits.
Strict Enforcement of Working Hours and Supervision
The evaluation also addresses long-standing concerns regarding excessive workloads. Minister Sadikin reiterated that interns are primarily in a learning phase and must never work without proper oversight.
“These interns are here to learn. While they are permitted to handle patients, professional supervision is mandatory. We must ensure this happens,” the Minister remarked firmly.
Official regulations mandate a maximum workload of 40 hours per week, or eight hours daily. The Ministry intends to ensure these hours are not condensed or exceeded. While the duration of the program remains flexible—typically lasting one year depending on the volume of clinical cases handled—the Minister clarified that health should never be sacrificed for credits. If an intern falls ill, they may complete any remaining case requirements at a later date rather than being forced to work while compromised.
Ombudsman Calls for Accountability
The investigation follows troubling reports regarding the conditions Dr. Myta faced before her death. Allegations suggest she was subjected to 12-hour shifts in the emergency department and had reportedly worked for three months without a single day off.
Further claims indicate that Dr. Myta was required to remain on duty during a night shift despite suffering from high fever and severe respiratory distress.
In response to these allegations, the Indonesian Ombudsman has urged the Ministry of Health to conduct a thorough audit of internship governance at both hospitals and community health centers (Puskesmas). The Ombudsman is specifically investigating the role of supervising doctors and whether there was a failure in the duty of care toward the trainees.