The Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia has placed great hopes in the establishment of the Medical Study Program and Professional Doctor Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. In his view, the program must be capable of producing doctors who are not only medically excellent, but who also understand the spiritual and psychological dimensions of their patients.
These remarks were delivered by the Minister of Religious Affairs following the official inauguration of the Medical Study Program and Professional Doctor Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga.
According to him, the distinguishing strength of medical education within Islamic higher education institutions lies in its ability to integrate medical approaches with spiritual and human values.
“An Islamic doctor does not only understand physiology and medical science, but also understands the psychological and spiritual concerns of patients. Patients do not only need physical healing, they also need mental and spiritual strengthening,” he said.
He explained that in many cases, the healing process is not solely determined by medical intervention, but is also influenced by the patient's psychological condition. For this reason, a doctor's ability to build empathetic communication and provide spiritual support forms an important part of quality healthcare.
The Minister of Religious Affairs expressed his conviction that graduates of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's medical program will carry a distinct advantage, having been shaped within an academic environment that integrates knowledge with Islamic values.
He also noted that the opening of the Medical Study Program aligns with the national development agenda in the health sector, including efforts to accelerate the reduction of stunting rates and improve the quality of Indonesia's human resources.
“Health is one of the national development priorities. Therefore, the presence of the Faculty of Medicine is expected to raise public awareness of the importance of health while also strengthening the quality of Indonesia's human resources,” he said.
Furthermore, the Minister of Religious Affairs described UIN Sunan Kalijaga as holding a strategic position as a center for the integration of various academic disciplines. The presence of faculties spanning Islamic studies, law, education, languages, science and technology, and now medicine, represents a vital foundation for building a comprehensive academic ecosystem.
With these strengths, he expressed optimism that UIN Sunan Kalijaga has the potential to grow into an epicenter for the development of knowledge and modern Islamic civilization, one that delivers broad and lasting benefit to society.
“This campus has tremendous potential to become a center for the integration of knowledge, producing the future generation that is needed by the Muslim community, the nation, and the state,” he concluded.
The opening of the Medical Study Program and Professional Doctor Program marks UIN Sunan Kalijaga's commitment to expanding its contribution to national health development. By combining the strengths of modern medical science, a humanistic approach, and Islamic values, this program is hoped to become one of the leading centers of medical education, producing future doctors who are competent, principled, and ready to meet the healthcare challenges facing Indonesian society. (humassk)