JAKARTA – President Prabowo Subianto has announced a significant government initiative to establish free, state-funded medical universities across Indonesia. This ambitious plan directly addresses the nation’s critical shortage of medical professionals, aiming to bolster the healthcare sector significantly.
During his address at the inauguration of 166 “Sekolah Rakyat” (People’s Schools) across 34 provinces, monitored online via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel in Jakarta on Monday, President Subianto highlighted the urgent need. He revealed that Indonesia currently faces a deficit of hundreds of thousands of doctors, including dental practitioners, underscoring the severity of this national challenge.
Consequently, tangible and measurable steps are imperative to overcome this deficit, with a primary solution being the nationwide establishment of new medical campuses. This strategic move aims to expand educational opportunities and produce a new generation of healthcare providers.
“We must open many schools and universities,” Prabowo declared emphatically. “I will prove to all Indonesian people that very soon, we will establish numerous medical universities.” His statement underscores a firm commitment to this transformative educational expansion.
Prabowo further elaborated that these new institutions would not be limited to medicine. They would encompass engineering universities and other strategic fields, open to all Indonesian youth. Crucially, access to these higher education programs will be entirely free for every Indonesian child, effectively removing financial barriers to advanced learning.
He expressed hope that this policy would foster equal opportunities for all segments of society, particularly enabling children from less privileged families to pursue their highest aspirations. This initiative is designed to be a powerful equalizer, democratizing access to specialized education.
“Medical universities, engineering universities, and so forth, will be opened for all Indonesian children, and they must not pay; they will be paid for by the state,” he affirmed passionately. “I want the child of a scavenger to be able to become an engineer, a doctor, an entrepreneur, or a general. That is my dream, and I will be proud, my brothers and sisters, to see that come to fruition.” This vision highlights a profound belief in social mobility through education.
According to the President, education stands as the most effective tool for eradicating poverty. However, he acknowledged that developing the education sector demands not only adequate budgetary support but also transparent and clean management of state finances to ensure efficient resource allocation.
President Subianto emphasized that Indonesia can truly rise and prosper only if it boldly confronts and resolves its real-world challenges. This call to action underscores a proactive approach to national development and problem-solving.
“We must be brave; whoever is brave will win,” Prabowo concluded, delivering a powerful message of resilience. “Dare to act, but before acting, dare to see the real situation, dare to see the difficulties, dare to face difficulties. Do not run from them, do not cover them up. See the difficulties, face them, overcome them; only then will we rise as a nation.” This final statement encapsulates his philosophy of courage and practical problem-solving as foundations for national progress.
Summary
President Prabowo Subianto has announced a significant government initiative to establish free, state-funded medical universities across Indonesia. This ambitious plan directly addresses the nation’s critical shortage of hundreds of thousands of medical professionals, aiming to bolster the healthcare sector by expanding educational opportunities nationwide. He emphasized the urgent need for tangible steps to overcome this significant national challenge.
These new institutions will also encompass engineering and other strategic fields, offering entirely free access to all Indonesian youth. Prabowo hopes this policy will foster equal opportunities for all segments of society, particularly enabling children from less privileged families to pursue their highest aspirations. He affirmed that the state would fully fund these programs, as education is considered the most effective tool for eradicating poverty.