Indonesia's Shortage of Cardiothoracic Surgeons: A Growing Health Crisis

Indonesia is facing a critical shortage of thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons, a situation that poses a serious threat to the country’s healthcare system. According to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia currently has only 270 doctors specializing in heart and lung surgery, but the nation will need at least 1,300 specialists within the next decade to meet the growing demand for care.

Why Indonesia Needs More Cardiothoracic Surgeons

The shortage of cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons in Indonesia is particularly concerning due to the high prevalence of heart and lung diseases. These diseases account for a significant number of medical cases in the country. As Indonesia’s population ages, the demand for specialized medical care, especially in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, will only continue to rise.

Minister Budi’s remarks underscore the urgency of training more specialists. Currently, Indonesia’s healthcare system is severely underprepared to handle the expected increase in demand for thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. Many of the existing specialists are nearing retirement age, with some over 70 years old. Without a strong pipeline of new specialists, Indonesia risks facing a shortage of these critical healthcare providers.

Indonesia’s Plan to Address the Shortage: Hospital-Based Training Programs

To address this pressing issue, the Indonesian Ministry of Health is implementing a new initiative called the "Hospital-Based Specialist Doctor Program." This program aims to accelerate the training of thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons by integrating medical education into hospital settings. The goal is to increase the number of specialists available, especially in regions where they are currently scarce.

The initiative is a step toward improving both the number and distribution of thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons. By offering more hands-on training opportunities within hospitals, the government hopes to streamline the process and ensure that newly trained surgeons can immediately start practicing in various regions.

Challenges and Solutions for Distribution

While increasing the number of specialist surgeons is essential, the challenge of distributing them evenly across the country remains a significant hurdle. Currently, there are 24 provinces in Indonesia with specialists in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, but many areas still lack sufficient healthcare professionals. Ideally, each province would have at least one specialist, and each district should have 3 to 5 specialists to ensure widespread access to care.

Dr. Prasetyo Edi, Chairman of the Indonesian Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (HBTKVI), emphasized that improving the distribution of specialists is as critical as increasing the number of surgeons. Indonesia must not only produce more specialists but also ensure they are placed in underserved regions to provide equitable care to all Indonesians.