On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Study Program of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), held a ceremony for the Presentation of Specialist Certificates in Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, the Introduction of New Specialist Medical Education Program (PPDS) Participants, and the Introduction of New Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Subspecialists. The event was held at the Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor, Hotel Adimulia.

The ceremony was marked by the presentation of medals by the Head of the Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Study Program, dr. Andriamuri Primaputra Lubis, M.Ked (An), SpAn-TI, Subsp. TI (K), as well as the presentation of plaques by the Secretary of the Study Program, dr. Rr Sinta Irina, SpAn-TI, Subsp.NA(K), to 10 Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy specialists (Alumni 207–216) and two consultants who had completed their education. The event also served as an opportunity to introduce 15 new students of the Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy PPDS Program.

This activity supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education through the provision of quality and sustainable specialist and subspecialist medical education. The presentation of specialist recognition and the introduction of new students are part of the process of developing healthcare professionals who are able to provide professional services in accordance with scientific standards and community needs.

In his remarks, the Head of the Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Study Program, dr. Andriamuri Primaputra Lubis, M.Ked (An), SpAn-TI, Subsp. TI (K), stated that the study program continues to develop international partnerships. In May 2025, the Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Study Program will establish a partnership with the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Malaya, Malaysia.

“The Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Study Program will establish a partnership with an overseas university, namely the University of Malaya, Malaysia, in May 2025. Through this collaboration, PPDS students in Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy at the Faculty of Medicine, USU, will be sent to the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Malaya, Malaysia, as observers for approximately one month,” said dr. Andrimuri.

This international collaboration is in line with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by strengthening partnerships between universities and medical education institutions to support knowledge and experience exchange, as well as capacity building for students in the field of anesthesiology and intensive therapy.

“I would also like to highlight the achievements of the Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy PPDS students at the Faculty of Medicine, USU, over the past two years. First, there was the impressive achievement of our students ranking among the top five in the national examination. Dr. Amat Habibie was one of the graduates who achieved one of the highest scores in this year’s national examination. In addition, the study program also received an award from the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) for successfully organizing basic life support training for public transportation drivers with the largest number of participants,” he added.

Secretary of USU, Prof. Dr. dr. Muhammad Fidel Ganis Siregar, M.Ked(OG), Sp.OG(K)-Fer, also expressed his highest appreciation to the Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Study Program of the Faculty of Medicine, USU, for its contribution to producing qualified medical professionals.

“We hope that these graduates will be able to contribute to hospitals throughout Indonesia, particularly in areas that still lack anesthesiology specialists. In the future, we also encourage the study program to establish a subspecialty education program, considering that the available teaching staff and resources are already adequate,” said Prof. Fidel.

The development of qualified specialists in anesthesiology and intensive therapy supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. The availability of competent healthcare professionals, particularly in anesthesiology and intensive therapy, plays an important role in strengthening healthcare services, supporting patient safety, and meeting the need for medical professionals in various regions of Indonesia.

Vice Dean I of the Faculty of Medicine, USU, Dr. dr. Delyuzar, M.Ked(PA), Sp.PA(K), emphasized the important role of anesthesiology and intensive therapy specialists in the medical field. Anesthesiology specialists are needed in various areas, including assisting surgeons, providing intensive care in hospitals, and managing pain. The Faculty of Medicine, USU, remains committed to producing professional healthcare personnel who are ready to contribute to healthcare services.

He also added that the Faculty of Medicine, USU, will continue to improve the quality of education and ensure that students are able to complete their education on time, allowing more specialists to contribute to the healthcare sector.

This commitment supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 4: Quality Education through improving the quality of medical education and strengthening the availability of professional healthcare personnel capable of providing high-quality healthcare services to the community.