Daftarsbmptn.com – The Indonesian medical world was once again rocked by news of the lengthy conflict between Dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A(K), a senior pediatric cardiologist and Chair of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), and Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin. On Sunday (February 15, 2026), Dr. Piprim announced his dismissal by the Minister of Health in a post on his personal social media, sparking heated debate among the public and among healthcare professionals.
According to the post, Dr. Piprim emotionally uttered the words, “Finally, I was dismissed by Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin.” He also apologized to the patients, students, residents, and aspiring pediatricians who had been part of his practice and education following the decision.
Chronology of Events
This case stems from the decision to transfer Dr. Piprim in April 2025. At that time, the Ministry of Health decided to transfer Dr. Piprim from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) to Fatmawati General Hospital (RSUP). Dr. Piprim considered this decision sudden, stating that he never received an official letter directly and only learned about it through circulating messages.
The transfer decision initially sparked public dissatisfaction, especially since Dr. Piprim is known as one of the few pediatric cardiologist subspecialists with experience and a high reputation in Indonesia. He had previously served for decades at RSCM and was a key figure in pediatric cardiology services and specialist medical education at the institution.
However, Dr. Piprim rejected the transfer, believing the process was procedural and detrimental to his career and role as an educator. Instead of accepting a new assignment at Fatmawati General Hospital, he chose to remain at RSCM and criticized the transfer as unfair.
Official Reason for Dismissal
The official document of the Decision to Honorably Dismiss at His Own Request, issued on February 2, 2026, and signed by Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, stated that the reason for Dr. Piprim’s dismissal was related to violations of Civil Servant discipline.
Meanwhile, from Fatmawati General Hospital, the hospital’s President Director explained that the dismissal occurred because Dr. Piprim was absent from work for 28 consecutive days without providing a valid reason. According to him, this disciplinary violation was the basis for the revocation of his employment status.
Furthermore, Dr. Piprim reportedly refused to respond to Fatmawati General Hospital’s summons to resume practice, resulting in his civil servant status as a doctor at the institution being revoked in accordance with applicable regulations.
Controversy and Response
This case was not simply a simple dismissal. Behind the decision lay a number of controversies that have drawn criticism. Some considered the transfer and dismissal of Dr. Piprim to be too harsh a measure against a senior doctor who had made significant contributions to children’s healthcare in Indonesia.
Furthermore, there are allegations that this conflict has a broader context related to the Ministry of Health’s policy on the existence of collegiums in the medical field. According to Dr. Piprim’s own statement, he had been critical of plans to change the structure of collegiums under the government, arguing that the collegiums should remain independent as institutions that oversee medical education and competency standards.
This statement fueled speculation that internal dynamics within the medical profession and the Ministry of Health’s broader policies could have influenced the transfer and dismissal decisions although the Ministry of Health maintained that these decisions were based on civil servant disciplinary regulations and were not politically motivated.
Impact on the Medical World
Dr. Piprim’s dismissal has drawn widespread attention, particularly from young doctors and professional organizations. The case is considered to have potential impacts on medical staff morale, professional-government relations, and public perception of the independence of the medical profession in Indonesia.
To date, neither the Ministry of Health nor Fatmawati General Hospital has provided a comprehensive response to the media regarding the broader controversy surrounding the dismissal, including allegations of politicization of medical policy.