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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Health & Science

Indonesian Medical Groups Threaten Strike Over Doctor's Negligence Case

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Indonesian medical associations IDI and IDAI are demanding the acquittal of pediatrician Ratna Setia Asih, who faces a prison sentence for alleged negligence leading to a patient's death.
  • IDI calls the case a "criminalization of the medical profession" and warns that an unjust verdict could trigger widespread solidarity actions among doctors, including potential strikes.
  • The associations argue that Ratna acted within professional standards, citing the common on-call system in Indonesian hospitals and the lack of malicious intent, suggesting the matter should be handled by ethics councils rather than criminal courts.

Indonesian medical groups are threatening widespread action, including potential strikes, over the case of a pediatrician sentenced to 4.6 years in prison for alleged negligence. The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) and the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) are urging judges at the Pangkalpinang District Court to acquit Dr. Ratna Setia Asih, who was found guilty in a case involving a patient's death.

The judges must decide this wisely. We hope for her acquittal.

— Slamet BudiartoChairperson of IDI, speaking at a press conference in Pangkalpinang on Thursday, June 11, 2026, regarding the case of pediatrician Ratna Setia Asih.

IDI's Chairperson, Slamet Budiarto, declared the case a "criminalization of the medical profession." He warned that an "erroneous verdict" could ignite a powerful wave of solidarity among doctors nationwide. "The judges must decide this wisely. We hope for her acquittal," Slamet stated at a press conference in Pangkalpinang on Thursday, June 11, 2026. He indicated that various forms of solidarity are being considered, from expressions of concern to street protests or a full strike.

Slamet argued that the case should not be a criminal matter, emphasizing the absence of malicious intent. He believes the issue should have been resolved through the Ethics Honorary Council and the Professional Disciplinary Council. "There is no malicious intent or mens rea. Yet, the reality is that Dr. Ratna has been punished and made a defendant," he said, adding that the Professional Disciplinary Council's recommendation should not be the sole basis for a criminal indictment.

There is no malicious intent or mens rea. Yet, the reality is that Dr. Ratna has been punished and made a defendant.

— Slamet BudiartoExplaining IDI's stance on the case against pediatrician Ratna Setia Asih.

IDI further contends that the prosecutor's case is misplaced, asserting that Dr. Ratna adhered strictly to professional standards. The association highlighted the widespread use of on-call systems in Indonesian hospitals due to physician shortages. "If this practice is not respected, we will be forced to resort to Defensive Medicine," Slamet warned, expressing distress over the criminalization of medical practices that are essential for patient care, especially given doctors' deep integration with social services through treating public health insurance patients.

If this practice is not respected, we will be forced to resort to Defensive Medicine.

— Slamet BudiartoWarning about the potential consequences of criminalizing standard medical practices like on-call systems in Indonesian hospitals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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