Hello vapers! Did you know that the Omnibus Health Bill sparked controversy and received criticism from many parties? On Monday (8/5/2023), a peaceful protest against the Omnibus Health Bill was held by the Indonesian Medical Association (PB-IDI) and involved five professional organizations.

These organizations are the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), the Indonesian National Nurses Association (PPNI), the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI), the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI), and the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI).

“This peaceful protest is a manifestation of the concern of professional health organizations regarding the hasty regulatory process and the disregard for input from professional organizations, which are essentially field workers," said Adib Khumaidi, Chairman of the Indonesian Medical Association, as quoted by Antara on Monday (8/5/2023).

During the peaceful protest, Adib guaranteed that public access to healthcare services would remain well-served in every region.

Responding to the planned peaceful protest, Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian urged all regional heads to ensure that healthcare services to the public continue without disruption from the planned peaceful protest by doctors and healthcare workers regarding the rejection of the Omnibus Health Bill.

"(Regional heads) must ensure that healthcare services to the community continue to function," he said in an official letter regarding anticipating national peaceful protest movements against the Health Omnibus Bill in the regions, Monday.

The letter, addressed to governors and regents/mayors throughout Indonesia, was signed by the Secretary-General (Sekjen) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Suhajar Diantoro, on behalf of Tito, dated May 6, 2023.

Furthermore, Tito also asked regional heads to appeal to heads of health departments, directors of regional general hospitals (RSUD), heads of community health centers (puskesmas), and healthcare personnel to maintain conduciveness and prioritize public service.

Subsequently, regional heads were also asked to instruct heads of health departments to coordinate and collaborate with the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) and Polri (Indonesian National Police) to anticipate any vacuum in healthcare services at regional health facilities.

"Regional heads also need to open a dialogue space with representatives of professional health organizations and regional leadership communication forums (Forkopimda) to convey aspirations," Tito concluded.

Source: Merdeka