MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MATARAM – Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram (UMMAT) is working to establish a medical faculty. Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development Ahmad Muttaqin appreciated the initiative.
Ahmad Muttaqin mentioned that the UMMAT has a promising future, highlighting the potential of the university for growth and success.
Meanwhile, the Rector of UMMAT Abdul Wahab emphasized the urgent need for a medical faculty at the UMMAT. There is a significant shortage of doctors in Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB, with only two existing universities offering medical programs.
“According to Statistics Indonesia, with a population of over 5.5 million, NTB has a population over 5.5 million. With only two universities with medical programs, the region requires adequate healthcare services,” said Abdul Wahab.
Thus, the UMMAT’s medical program establishment may enhance the human resources and health quality in NTB and Indonesia.
The Ministry of Health has also expressed its support for the initiative. Director of Health Workforce Provision Oos Fatimah Rosyati emphasized the growing need for competent doctors to meet the demands of the healthcare sector. She expressed her anticipation for the establishment of UMMAT’s medical faculty, which she believes will contribute to increasing the number of qualified doctors and improving the overall quality of healthcare.
With the establishment of a medical program, UMMAT joins the ranks of other Muhammadiyah universities offering medical programs. Currently, there are 14 medical faculties under the Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Higher Education network, spanning across Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Sumatra. The addition of UMMAT’s medical faculty will further expand Muhammadiyah contribution to healthcare education in Indonesia.
