IDAI Warns Indonesia Has Only 100 Pediatric Cardiology Consultants Nationwide
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- IDAI says Indonesia needs around 500 pediatric cardiology consultants, but only about 100 are currently available nationwide.
- With 4.5–5 million births annually, IDAI estimates about 50,000 babies are born each year with congenital heart disease.
- IDAI urges expanded specialist training and telemedicine to bridge gaps in access while improving the distribution of medical personnel.
Indonesia needs around 400 additional pediatric cardiology consultants to meet national demand and expand access to care across the archipelago, the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) has said.
IDAI chairman Piprim Basarah Yanuarso said the country requires roughly 500 pediatric heart consultants nationwide, but currently has only about 100.
“Based on our calculations, Indonesia needs around 500 pediatric cardiology consultants, while right now there are only about 100 across the country,” Piprim said on Friday in Bengkulu.
He said the additional specialists are needed to ensure services can reach all regions, especially given that congenital heart disease is estimated to occur in about 1 in every 100 live births.
With Indonesia recording about 4.5 million to 5 million births each year, Piprim estimated that roughly 50,000 children are born annually with congenital heart disease.
He added that Indonesia currently has around 6,000 pediatricians, compared with an estimated national requirement of about 6,800 to 7,000.
Beyond increasing the number of specialists, IDAI is also encouraging the use of telemedicine—now more widely available—as a temporary solution.
He said telemedicine could help children access care even if a pediatric heart consultant is based in another region, serving as a bridge while specialist trainees complete their education and return to work in the provinces.
Through these measures, IDAI hopes pediatric cardiac services will reach more communities across Indonesia. Piprim also stressed that more even distribution of medical personnel is crucial to ensure every child can access adequate treatment.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
