Mataram, University of Mataram — The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Mataram (FKIK Unram), has inaugurated 11 new medical doctors through the 54th Doctoral Oath-Taking and Inauguration Ceremony, held on Wednesday (22/10) at the dr. Yunita Sabrina Hall, FKIK Unram. The new cohort consisting of four men and seven women has successfully completed their professional medical training, bringing the total number of FKIK Unram medical graduates to 1,032.

This inauguration period also marks a notable academic achievement, with 77.7% of participants being first-time takers of the National Competency Examination for Medical Doctor Professional Education Program (UKMPPD). This level of success serves as an important indicator of the quality of learning at FKIK Unram and contributes to the strengthening of the study program’s reaccreditation process.

In his remarks, the Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Information Systems, Prof. Akmaluddin, S.T., M.Sc.(Eng)., Ph.D., expressed his appreciation to the graduates and extended his gratitude to their parents. He also reaffirmed the Unram’s commitment to responding to ongoing challenges in the healthcare sector.

“The unequal distribution of doctors across regions particularly in remote areas remains a serious concern for us. Unram continues to expand strategic collaborations with district and municipal governments. At present, Unram has established partnership initiatives with the Regency Governments of Central Lombok, Sumbawa, and West Sumbawa to support the fulfillment of medical workforce needs in their respective areas. We hope that this collaborative effort will help address healthcare service challenges, especially in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB),” he concluded.

The Dean of FKIK Unram, Dr. dr. Arfi Syamsun, Sp.KF., M.Si.Med., emphasized that today’s medical graduates must be part of the transformation of the national healthcare system. He further stated that FKIK Unram is solidifying a comprehensive strategic plan to support government programs aimed at increasing the number of medical specialists in Indonesia.

“Next year, FKIK Unram will have a total of nine Specialist Medical Education Programs (PPDS). Four new programs Anesthesiology, Pediatrics, Cardiology, and Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) will complement the existing programs in Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neurology, Pulmonology, and Marine Medicine. With these additions, students from the region will no longer need to pursue specialist outside West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and we hope this development will further strengthen the availability of medical specialists in the area.”

The urgency surrounding the demand for medical professionals was also highlighted by the Director of the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial General Hospital (RSUD NTB), dr. H. Lalu Herman Mahaputra, M.Kes., MH., who emphasized that an extraordinary strategic leap is required to meet the projected need for 70,000 doctors by 2030.

“RSUD NTB stands ready to serve as an active partner in accelerating this agenda. To produce outstanding doctors, we must build an exceptional ecosystem supported by highly capable human resources. FKIK Unram cannot work alone; we need the support of provincial, district, and municipal governments to ensure that regions invest in the education of their best young talents. In doing so, they will later return to serve their hometowns, and we will no longer need to rely on bringing in doctors from outside the region.”

The Chair of the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) for the West Nusa Tenggara Region, Dr. dr. Rohadi, Sp.BS Subsp. N-Onk (K), FICS, FINPS, MH.Kes., also underscored the importance of collaboration in strengthening the quality of healthcare services. He encouraged the newly inaugurated doctors to return and serve their respective regions, while upholding professional ethics in medical practice.

“IDI believes that fulfilling the need for doctors is not solely dependent on increasing numbers, but also on ensuring equitable distribution, continuous professional development, and the improvement of healthcare workers’ welfare,” he stated.

As the ceremony concluded, representing the new graduates, Dr. Cokorda Istri Agung Asvini Darmaningrat encouraged her fellow doctors to remain humble, bring hope, and devote themselves to delivering meaningful service to others.

With a spirit of collaboration, integrity, and service, FKIK Unram reaffirms its commitment as a medical education institution dedicated to producing excellent physicians and healthcare professionals. The faculty continues to strive for equitable, high-quality, and just healthcare services for all, while strengthening its contributions to the region and expanding meaningful impacts for society.