Indonesia Plans 'Flying Doctors' to Expand Healthcare Access in Remote Areas

The Indonesian government has announced a "flying doctor" program to expand healthcare access in remote areas, according to State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi. The initiative aims to improve healthcare in regions where medical facilities are difficult to reach, rather than providing services in every village, Hadi explained. President Prabowo Subianto first proposed the idea in his speech on the government's proposed 2027 state budget and financial note at Parliament Complex in Jakarta.

Hadi noted that the term "flying" was used because of the vast size of Indonesia and unequal access to healthcare facilities. The government is also accelerating improvements to community health centers and regional public hospitals to reduce the distance and time needed to access medical services. The flying doctors initiative will be provided via helicopter-based rapid-response healthcare services in certain areas, similar to concepts implemented in other countries.

This service could be used to respond to specific medical conditions in remote areas but does not imply every village or urban ward would need air transport services. Prabowo has also directed state-owned enterprises to prepare mobile dental services, which will use vehicles equipped with dental equipment to provide care directly to communities, particularly for dental health problems.

The development of these mobile dental units is still underway, and the government is evaluating the program as dental services require different equipment than general medical care.