Two Doctors Awarded National Hero Titles by Indonesian Government

VIVA – Two doctors have been awarded the national hero titles by the government through the Dewan Gelar Tanda Jasa dan Tanda Kehormatan. They are meritorious because they have fought for Indonesian independence. The two doctors are Dr.dr.H.R.Soeharto and dr. Raden Rubini Natawisastra.

Health Minister of Indonesia, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, stated what doctors and health workers are fighting for today is the result of the struggle of doctors in the past.

"Today, we remember and take lessons from the struggles of previous doctors in making Indonesian people healthy. Serving the public with our hearts to prevent diseases and treat patients optimally is a way to appreciate the services of previous doctor heroes," Minister Budi remarked in Jakarta, on November 10, 2022.

The government conferred the title of national hero to dr. H.R Soeharto because the late doctor was considered to have fought alongside President Soekarno in the struggle for independence of the Indonesia.  

Based on a written release from the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), the figure that was born in Tegalgondo, Surakarta, on December 24, 1908, is known as Soekarno's personal doctor.

dr. Soeharto was also a partner in the struggle who always accompanied Soekarno in several events, including restoring Bung Karno's health before the proclamation so that the Proclamation of Independence on August 17, 1945, could be read.

Then, dr. Soeharto facilitated Sukarno and the struggle leaders in discussing the struggle strategy in his private home. This included accompanying Sukarno, Moh. Hatta, and KRT Radjiman Wediodiningrat on a trip to Saigon to meet Marshal Terauchi to discuss Indonesian independence. 

The government also conferred the title of national hero to dr. Raden Rubini Natawisastra because he was considered to have carried out a humanitarian mission as a traveling doctor during independence.

Even the late and his wife were sentenced to death by the Japanese for their persistent struggle for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia. The figure born in Bandung on August 31, 1906, initially devoted himself to a doctor in Jakarta. In 1934, Dr. Rubini was transferred to Pontianak. 

In this area, he was known as a humble and selfless doctor. He often traveled around visiting remote villages in West Kalimantan to provide help to the community by trying to improve welfare and provide protection for mothers and children, including reducing maternal and child mortality rates that often occur in the practice of traditional birth attendants.

dr. Rubini's efforts are also assisted by his wife, Amalia Rubini, who is a member of the Palang Merah movement. Amalia Rubini also interacted with doctors' wives’ associations in Pontianak to share information and skills about women and child empowerment. 

During the Japanese occupation, Rubini also cared for women who received sexual violence from Japanese soldiers. This further strengthened her resolve to fight Japanese oppression. 

Moreover, dr. Rubini began to consolidate activists and several fighting figures to fight against the Japanese, which was planned to be carried out in December 1943. Unfortunately, this action plan was known to the Japanese because several people were betrayed as Japanese spies. 

As a result, dr. Rubini, his wife, and several figures who were considered involved in the action plan were arrested by the Japanese and sadistically massacred on June 28, 1944, in the Mandor area. This massacre is known as the Mandor tragedy.

To appreciate the dr. Rubini's service and dedication to Indonesia, his name was immortalized as the name of the Regional Hospital of Mempawah Regency, West Kalimantan.

In addition, his name is also immortalized as a street name in Mempawah, Pontianak, and Bandung.  What Dr. dr. H.R. Soeharto and dr. Rubini went beyond their basic duties as doctors at that time, as they both participated in every period of the nation's history.  

"Doctors and health workers who serve today are also part of the national struggle. By following technological developments, doctors and health workers continue to strive to improve the quality of health through promotive, preventive, curative efforts, increasing the capacity of health human resources, and equitable access to health services throughout Indonesia," Minister of Health Budi remarked.

Not only this year, previously in 2013, some doctors were also awarded the title of the national hero.