State Officials Calls for IDI Evaluation after Dismissal of Terawan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of state officials criticized Indonesian Medical Association’s (IDI) decision to permanently terminate Terawan Agus Putranto’s membership and demanded an evaluation of the medical professional organization.

“I deeply regret the IDI's decision, especially the point that [Terawan] is barred from doing medical practice to serve patients. IDI’s position must be evaluated!,” said Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly as quoted from his official Instagram account, @yasonna.laoly, Thursday, March 31.

Yasonna also said the government needs to pass regulations that confirm that doctors' licenses are the domain of the government, which in this case the Ministry of Health.

The House of Representatives (DPR) members also questioned IDI’s reasons for the dismissal of the military doctor.

The House deputy speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said he would ask Commission IX and the related councils to comprehensively revise and review the Law on Medical Practice and the Law on Medical Education, as well as evaluate medical professional organizations based on the relevant laws.

“So IDI and other medical professional organizations do not seem to be a super body and have a superpower,” said Dasco in a written statement, Saturday, March 26.

The House’s Commission IX deputy chair Nihayatul Wafiroh claimed her side had summoned IDI on Tuesday, March 29. However, IDI could not meet the invitation as a number of its leaders were still in Banda Aceh for the congress. Commission IX was set to reschedule the meeting.

The IDI’s Honorary Council for Medical Ethics (MKEK) permanently expelled former health minister Terawan from IDI membership. The decision was read out at its 31st Congress in Banda Aceh, Friday, March 25. Meanwhile, Terawan said in a statement on Tuesday, March 29, that he would just follow the IDI’s decision.

Read: Terawan Discharged from IDI Membership Permanently

DEWI NURITA