GOVT NEEDS MORE THAN 5,000 SPECIALIST DOCTORS

Jakarta, Feb 16 (ANTARA) - The government still needs 5,339 specialist doctors to meet the need for such professionals in public health services across the country, Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari said.

"An average of 434 specialist doctors per year were placed in the past five years," the minister said in a hearing with House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IX here on Monday.
To meet this demand, the minister said, the Health Affairs Ministry in cooperation with 13 medical faculties would accelerate the improvement of specialist medical services on the basis of the professionals' competence.
"The doctors who pass academic tests will get financial support from the government in accordance with available funds and for those with non-civil servant status will be promoted to become civil servants in the region," the minister said.
She said in 2008 the government funded study assignment for 700 doctors and this year it would give similar funds to 1,040 doctors.
"Up to 2010, 6,000 doctors are expected to get financial assistance from the government for their study assignment," the health minister said.
She said that as of 2008, the number of specialist doctors with civil servant status reached 12,277 persons.