Doctor's Death Prompts Call for Protection of Medical Workers to President

The death of Dr. Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, widely known as Dr. Icha, has sparked concern among medical workers in Indonesia. Following this incident, the Indonesian General Practitioners Association (PP PDUI) has sent an open letter to President Prabowo Subianto, urging the government to protect medical workers and health professionals. The letter, dated June 30, 2026, expresses condolences for the passing of Dr. Icha, who had dedicated herself to serving the community in North Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The association also highlighted circulating information regarding alleged psychological pressure and intimidation against Dr. Icha before her death, calling for an objective, professional, transparent, and accountable investigation into all allegations. PP PDUI emphasized that any form of intimidation, threats, violence, bullying, or abuse of power relations against medical personnel should not be viewed as a mere personal issue. "The state must not wait for another victim to fall before ensuring that every medical worker and health professional carrying out their service duties receives real, swift, accessible, and effective protection," the letter stated, signed by PP PDUI Chairman Dr. Ardiansyah Bahar and Secretary-General Dr. Hartati B Bangsa. Ardiansyah noted that Dr. Icha's experience is not an isolated case. In recent years, several medical professionals have faced verbal and physical violence, psychological pressure, criminalization, and excessive workloads. Examples include the death of intern doctor Dr. Myta Aprilia Azmy in Jambi in May 2026, allegedly due to workload; legal proceedings against pediatrician Dr. Ratna Setia Asih in Pangkalpinang; cases of violence against doctors in West Lampung; and assaults on medical students (koas). According to PP PDUI, these series of events indicate that the protection for medical workers and health professionals is not yet optimally implemented in the field. Through the open letter, PP PDUI submitted several requests to President Prabowo. These include advocating for the issuance of a Presidential Regulation on the Protection of Medical Workers and Health Professionals, which should encompass safety standards for health facilities, rapid response systems, national reporting mechanisms, legal aid, psychological support, and the obligations of regional governments. Furthermore, they requested the establishment of a rapid response mechanism for reports of intimidation and violence against medical personnel, the development of a national protection system for medical workers and health professionals, and the drafting of a Presidential Regulation concerning their protection. PP PDUI also urged regional governments to strengthen policies for the protection of health workers and encouraged the House of Representatives (DPR) to evaluate the adequacy of existing regulations, and to form new laws if necessary. The association formally requested President Prabowo, as Head of State, to issue an official statement regarding the commitment to protect health and medical personnel. "PP PDUI respectfully implores Your Excellency the President to provide an official response to this open letter no later than 14 (fourteen) working days from the date the letter is received," said Ardiansyah.