Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has directed the Health Ministry to address significant staffing shortages impacting approximately 4,000 public community health centers – known as puskesmas – located in the country’s most disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions. The directive was issued during a coordination meeting on national strategic programs held Tuesday at the Defense Ministry in Jakarta.
Addressing Healthcare Disparities
Minister of State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi conveyed the President’s instruction to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin. According to reports, roughly 4,000 of Indonesia’s 10,000 puskesmas currently lack sufficient medical personnel to maintain basic service standards, particularly in remote and underserved areas. The shortages include both general practitioners and dentists.
The Health Ministry is responding with a fresh incentive scheme designed to attract and retain healthcare workers in these challenging locations, with a specific focus on specialist doctors. Monthly incentives of Rp30 million (approximately US$1,700) are being prepared for specialist doctors assigned to 3T regions.
Expanding Healthcare Infrastructure
Beyond financial incentives, the government is accelerating efforts to improve living conditions and equip facilities in 3T regions. This includes the construction of livable housing and the provision of modern equipment through the Strengthening Indonesia’s Healthcare Referral Network (SIHREN) initiative. Hundreds of additional medical personnel are also being deployed to 3T facilities, with deployments underway as of early 2026.
The President’s order comes as Indonesia is also taking steps to increase the number of residency programs available to ease specialist shortages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What regions are considered “3T” regions?
The source identifies 3T regions as disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost regions of Indonesia.
How many puskesmas are currently operating in Indonesia?
According to reports presented to the President, approximately 10,000 puskesmas are currently operating throughout Indonesia.
What is the SIHREN initiative?
The source states that SIHREN is an initiative focused on strengthening Indonesia’s healthcare referral network.
As the Health Ministry begins collecting data on staffing needs and implementing these new initiatives, it remains to be seen how effectively these efforts will address the existing shortages and improve healthcare access for residents of Indonesia’s 3T regions.
