The BTKV Study Program of the Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University Holds a Meeting with Partner Hospitals Providing Recommendations

Meeting Between Recommending Hospitals and the Thoracic, Cardiac, and Vascular Surgery (BTKV) Specialist Program, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University

A virtual meeting was held via Zoom on Monday (July 7, 2025) between the Recommending Hospitals for PPDS (Specialist Physician Education Program) and the Thoracic, Cardiac, and Vascular Surgery (BTKV) Specialist Program of the Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University. The event was attended by the Director General of Advanced Health Services of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Dr. Azhar Jaya, SH., SKM., MARS; the Director General of Health Human Resources of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Yuli Farianti, M.Epid; Rector of Udayana University Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana, ST., Ph.D; Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Prof. Dr. dr. Komang Januartha Putra Pinatih, M.Kes; Directors or representatives from the recommending hospitals; as well as the Chair of the Collegium and Head of the BTKV Specialist Program, Dr. dr. Ketut Putu Yasa, Sp.B., BTKV, Subsp. VE(K), FICS, FIATCVS, along with faculty members and students.

In his remarks, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Komang Januartha Putra Pinatih stated that the event served as a coordination effort to prepare the recommending hospitals for student placements in the BTKV Specialist Program at Udayana. The goal is to ensure that once students complete their education, they can deliver optimal healthcare services. The BTKV Specialist Program at Udayana University is one of the programs appointed by the government—specifically the Ministry of Education—to serve as a national center for training thoracic, cardiac, and vascular surgeons. It is part of a broader effort to increase the number of specialists in this field and distribute them to underserved regions.

Rector of Udayana University Prof. I Ketut Sudarsana emphasized that as an educational institution, Udayana University holds a significant responsibility in producing high-quality medical professionals. These professionals must excel not only academically and clinically but also be capable of addressing real-world healthcare challenges. The BTKV Specialist Program is a reflection of Udayana's commitment to strengthening healthcare services in Indonesia, particularly in this crucial field, which began with a mandate from the Ministry at the program’s inception.

“This meeting is a strategic step to strengthen the synergy between specialist training programs and the affiliated recommending hospitals. We hope all parties will collaborate to develop both human and supporting resources,” said the Rector.

Director General of Health Human Resources, Dr. Yuli Farianti, remarked that Indonesia still faces a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly specialists. This shortage contributes to high mortality rates from diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer—often due to delays in treatment caused by a lack of personnel in remote areas. She emphasized two main priorities: first, to fill human resource gaps in underserved regions, and second, to ensure regional governments commit to providing the necessary infrastructure and welfare for specialists. She also mentioned that in the future, the central government will provide incentives for specialists assigned to remote and underdeveloped areas (DTPK).

Director General of Advanced Health Services, Dr. Azhar Jaya, noted that the BTKV program holds strategic importance for Indonesia's future. The country is experiencing an epidemiological transition—from predominantly infectious diseases to lifestyle-related diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. To address this shift, Indonesia needs a significant increase in healthcare professionals specialized in these areas.

Chair of the Collegium and Head of the BTKV Specialist Program, Dr. Ketut Putu Yasa, presented an overview of the program, including faculty members and its current enrollment of 17 students. He also outlined the plan for 16 partner hospitals where students will be assigned, including Tangerang Regional Hospital (RSUD Tangerang), Bali Mandara Hospital, Raden Mattaher Jambi Regional Hospital, Singaraja Regional Hospital, Kendari Heart and Vascular Hospital, Saiful Anwar Regional Hospital, Malang, Labuan Bajo Hospital, Udayana University Hospital (RS Unud), North Lombok Regional Hospital, Prof. Johannes Hospital, Kupang, Bangli Regional Hospital, Banten Regional Hospital, Sidikalang Regional Hospital, Negara General Hospital, Prof. Dr. Margono Soekarjo Regional Hospital, Jayapura Regional Hospital.