Amid challenge by medical workers, Indonesia’s parliament approves changes to healthcare laws

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) – Indonesia's parliament Tuesday passed revisions to healthcare laws that will replace 11 existing laws on public health despite protests by healthcare workers, local media reported.

Lawmakers proceeded to enact the comprehensive health reform bill, introducing extensive and contentious changes in the healthcare sector, daily Jakarta Post said.

The law permits foreign doctors to practice in the country, removes mandatory health spending, and transfers the authority to issue medical competency certificates from medical associations to the government, among other changes.

Lawmakers, during the debate, emphasized that the newly passed law would expedite healthcare reform after the COVID-19 pandemic, address the doctor shortage, and enhance healthcare quality.

Indonesia's parliament introduced various revisions to the healthcare laws in February, aiming to facilitate patients filing criminal charges against healthcare workers for malpractice and permitting foreign healthcare professionals to address staff shortages in the country.

The government argues that the reforms are necessary to streamline the current laws.

However, the changes have triggered protests by doctors and nurses, expressing concern that the new law would weaken safeguards for medical practitioners.