Indonesia and Japan to Boost Medical Specialist Training

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Health and the International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW) of Japan have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement is on expanding access to international-standard medical education and bolstering the competency of medical specialists in Indonesia.

The agreement was signed in Jakarta, Monday, April 13, 2026 by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha, and the President of IUHW, Yasuhiro Suzuki. The ceremony was witnessed directly by the Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

During the event, Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, expressed his gratitude for Japan’s consistent support in improving Indonesia's healthcare landscape. He underscored that this partnership is designed to be more than just a formal agreement, it is intended to be a foundational shift for the nation.

"Japan has assisted Indonesia significantly in improving our health systems. I hope this collaboration between the Ministry of Health and IUHW becomes a lasting legacy for the development of health in Indonesia," Minister Budi stated.

The MoU establishes medical education as a primary pillar of cooperation. The comprehensive framework includes postgraduate clinical training and specialist development. As an immediate follow-up, the Directorate General of Health Human Resources will increase scholarship quotas for Indonesian students attending IUHW and develop robust exchange programs.

The Ministry of Health assured that IUHW graduates will be able to receive practice licenses in Indonesia after evaluation and test. The Ministry of Health has also proposed a double-degree scheme recognized by both countries.

The ministry is also adjusting service bond periods for scholarship recipients to make the program more attractive to the nation's brightest medical talents.