Responding to National Health Challenges: UIN Walisongo Ready to Open Faculty of Medicine

In facing the challenges of the shortage of medical personnel in Indonesia, UIN Walisongo Semarang's move to open the Faculty of Medicine this year is a highly appreciated step. The need for doctors in Indonesia is still far from the standard recommended by WHO, with a ratio of only 1 doctor per 1000 population. It is estimated that Indonesia still lacks around 130 thousand doctors.

This step was responded well by UIN Walisongo, which was also reinforced by the visit of the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, to the location that will become the faculty on May 14, 2023. A total of 41 doctors are ready to teach in this faculty, showing the commitment of UIN Walisongo to accelerate the process of opening this faculty.

Prof. Imam Taufiq, Rector of UIN Walisongo in the previous period, revealed that the opening of this faculty is part of their commitment to become a campus that focuses on human values and civilization. He hopes that this new faculty can make a significant contribution in meeting the needs of medical personnel in Indonesia. In response, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Sugeng Ibrahim, said that the faculty will focus on regenerative medicine and health assurance. This is expected to produce graduates who not only excel in academics, but also have high humanist and civilized values.

In addition, UIN Walisongo has also established cooperation with several leading teaching hospitals, such as RSUD dr. Gondo Suwarno, Diponegoro National Hospital, Regional Mental Hospital DR. Amino Gondohutomo, and RSUD dr. Adhyatama, MPH. This is a strategic step in preparing adequate supporting facilities to support quality medical education.

By opening this Faculty of Medicine, UIN Walisongo not only aims to meet the needs of medical personnel in Indonesia, but also wants to make a real contribution in presenting a generation of doctors who are able to compete globally. It is hoped that this step can be a new milestone in improving the quality of health services in Indonesia and reducing disparities in access to quality medical services.