The Indonesian government has launched 25 new specialist doctor education programs (PPDS) at hospitals across various regions to address the shortage of specialist physicians. The initiative, announced by Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, aims to increase the total number of specialist doctors to 55,712 and ensure their distribution across 481 districts and cities, especially those outside Java and eastern Indonesia. This follows President Prabowo Subianto's directive under his Astacita program. The effort involved overcoming regulatory and bureaucratic challenges through inter-ministerial coordination, including resolving differences between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. These 25 permits represent Phase I of the 2026 program.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual report on a government initiative aimed at addressing a healthcare workforce shortage. It includes direct quotes from government officials and outlines the steps taken to implement the policy. There is no evident ideological framing, loaded language, or one-sided focus






