The Role of Prison Doctors in Guaranteeing the Right to Health Services for Prisoners A Health Law Perspective in Indonesia

Abstract

The right to health services is a human right guaranteed by the constitution and applies to all individuals, including prisoners. In Indonesia, this right is regulated in Law Number 12 of 1995 concerning Corrections, Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health, and Government Regulation Number 58 of 1999 concerning Prisoner Management. Prison doctors have an important role in ensuring the right to health services for prisoners, but this role is faced with various challenges, such as limited medical facilities, shortages of health workers, and procedural obstacles stipulated in regulations. One of the main obstacles is the medical referral procedure that requires the approval of the prison head, which often slows down the handling of emergency medical cases.

This study uses a normative legal method to analyze relevant regulations and identify legal loopholes and implementation challenges. The results show that although regulations provide legal protection, structural and procedural barriers are still significant. Recommended solutions include revising regulations to speed up referral procedures, improving health facilities in prisons, adding competent medical personnel, and providing legal and ethical training for prison doctors. Psychological and legal support are also important needs to protect doctors from the pressures faced in their duties.

In conclusion, the fulfillment of the right to health for prisoners requires integrated efforts from the government, correctional institutions, and medical professional organizations. This strategic step will improve the quality of health services in prisons, while strengthening legal protection for prison doctors, so that the right to health of prisoners can be fulfilled in accordance with the principles of justice and humanity