Today, 12 November 2021, for the umpteenth time we commemorate the National Health Day (HKN) in Indonesia, a very special day for healthcare workers. It is special because this is the day, the right moment to be grateful, reflect, and introspect on their duties, roles and responsibilities as individuals, members of society, the nation and state.
This day is the celebrated event nationally, as a sign that healthcare workers (Nakes) have a very important role in the development of this country.
Healthcare workers in Indonesia, as well as in the world, in the midst of the problems they face-like other professions, it turns out that they are very benefited (Read: Privileges). Their position, reputation, future, treatment of the Government, education and employment opportunities for the human resources (HR) are very different from other professions, even better than most of them.
It is no exaggeration to say that our healthcare profession should be grateful for this blessing.
Through HKN, I was moved to write down the four major privileges of HR Healthcare as a form of self-reflection, in order to improve health services in Indonesia.
Maybe what I'm saying is subjective. At least this is what I have observed, experienced and my fellow professional friends feel as part of health human resources in Indonesia.
First, in terms of education. There is no education for healthcare personnel that exceeds the education of other professions. Its position is number one far above other study programs. According to the 2019 Ministry of Education and Culture Statistics, the number of Pharmacy, Midwifery, Nursing study programs is 1,571. While the management study program, the second highest was only 1,140, followed by Accounting 991 and Islamic Religious Education 670 units. This means that the number of healthcare educational institutions is more than 26% of the total study programs in Indonesia. The number is of course very big.
The highest healthcare education according to the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2020 is 790 midwifery study programs followed by nursing as many as 551. This proves that the need for health graduates is very much needed in this country, especially midwives, nurses and pharmacists.
Second, privilege in terms of job opportunities. The community's need for healthcare workers will never run out. From land, sea and air. Especially during this Covid-19 pandemic, soaring sharply.
According to the Regulation of the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, BPPSDM, the ratio used for doctors and the ideal population is 1:2500, the target in 2025 is 1:40. For the profession of midwifery 1: 1000, the target is 1:30. While the ratio of nurses and population is 1: 500, the target is 1: 200 in 2025. Thus, there are still many job opportunities for the healthcare workers.