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Demographic changes, including increasing aging, the rise in non-communicable diseases, and the high rate of accidents and injuries, place a significant functional burden on the population. Medical rehabilitation is not just about post-morbid care but also about restoring function, preventing permanent disability, and facilitating socioeconomic integration for patients.

Approximately 1,191 registered Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists will be available in Indonesia by 2025. With a population of 284 million, this equates to four Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists per million Indonesians. This ratio is considered insufficient to meet the needs of the Indonesian population. To accelerate the production of these specialists, the Faculty of Medicine (FK) of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) plans to launch a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Study Program (PM&R Specialist Program). 

In response to this plan, the Indonesian College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation assigned Prof. Dr. Hening Laswati, dr., Sp.K.F.R., K.R.(K) and Dr. Erna Setiawati, Sp.K.F.R., K.R.(K)., M.Si.Med to monitor and evaluate the preparation process for the opening of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Study Program at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret (FK UNS).

The monitoring and evaluation activity, which took place in the FK UNS Auditorium on Thursday (November 27, 2025), began with a presentation of the FK UNS profile by the Dean of the FK UNS, Prof. Dr. Reviono, dr., Sp.P(K), followed by a presentation from the Medical Rehabilitation Department by Dr. Desy K. Tandiyo, dr., Sp.K.F.R. The presentations continued with a discussion, question and answer session, and a direct inspection of the facilities and infrastructure at Dr. Moewardi Regional General Hospital and UNS Hospital.

In his remarks, Prof. Reviono stated that the establishment of the PM&R Specialist Program represents a concrete contribution from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret (FK UNS) in helping the government address the shortage of specialist doctors in Indonesia.

"I hope the PM&R study program will be established soon, as it is a strategic service profession, and there are many other services closely related to PM&R services. This also aligns with the Ministry of Health's hope to accelerate the production of specialist doctors in Indonesia," he said.

After firsthand observing the facilities and infrastructure at the two teaching hospitals owned by the Faculty of Medicine UNS, Prof. Hening expressed her appreciation for the faculty’s readiness in planning to open the PM&R study program.

"I really appreciate the readiness, from the Faculty of Medicine at UNS itself to the two teaching hospitals. The variety of cases and the number of patients are quite large, making it suitable for use as an educational facility. Rehabilitation is needed by almost all services, such as neurology, surgery, pediatrics, and others. Therefore, if this hospital were used as an educational facility, it would actually improve the services provided there," he said.

Public Relations of FK UNS