President Prabowo Subianto recently turned to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for assistance in addressing Indonesia's pressing healthcare challenge: a significant shortage of doctors. During the G20 Summit in Brazil, Prabowo emphasized the importance of bolstering Indonesia's medical education system and strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the field of healthcare.

Indonesia currently faces a doctor shortage of around 160,000, with only 8,000 medical students graduating annually—far below the required numbers to meet the healthcare needs of its population. Prabowo highlighted that this gap has become a major concern, affecting the country's ability to provide quality medical care to its citizens.

To address this issue, Prabowo proposed a plan that involves enhancing educational partnerships with India. He suggested that Indonesian students could be sent to Indian medical institutes for advanced training, while also inviting Indian medical professors to teach at Indonesian universities. This approach aims to strengthen Indonesia’s medical workforce by tapping into India’s vast pool of healthcare expertise and its established reputation for medical education.

The proposed cooperation would not be limited to educational initiatives alone. Prabowo also discussed the potential for expanding healthcare infrastructure in Indonesia, particularly through the establishment of foreign hospitals in special economic zones (SEZs). These zones offer tax incentives and other benefits to foreign investors, making them an attractive option for healthcare providers seeking to expand their operations internationally. India’s Apollo Hospitals has already taken a step in this direction by agreeing to invest in the Batam Health Tourism SEZ, which is set to open in 2026.

This initiative reflects Indonesia’s broader strategy to improve its healthcare sector by inviting international expertise and investments. Prabowo has previously sought similar support from Russia, where he discussed the possibility of sending Indonesian students abroad to study medicine, including to Russia.

The ongoing discussions between Indonesia and India signal a growing recognition of the importance of global partnerships in addressing domestic challenges. By seeking India’s assistance, Prabowo aims to not only alleviate the doctor shortage but also lay the groundwork for a more robust healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of a growing population.

As Indonesia continues to grapple with its healthcare challenges, such international collaborations are seen as critical in improving the country’s healthcare infrastructure and training future generations of medical professionals.