Here stands the venerable Fakultas Kedokteran dan Kesehatan Gedung Barat. Its walls whisper tales of medical innovation and academic excellence. This building is not just a structure. It’s a living testament to Indonesia’s commitment to healthcare education.
The story of Fakultas Kedokteran dan Kesehatan Gedung Barat traces back to the colonial era. In January 1851, the Dutch East Indies government established Dokter Djawa School. This school later became School tot Opleiding van Indische Artsen or STOVIA. The aim was to train local doctors to combat widespread diseases.
Later, in 1927, Geneeskundige Hogeschool or GHS was founded in Batavia to replace STOVIA. This elevated medical education standards. GHS utilized and expanded STOVIA’s facilities. These included laboratories and libraries. The construction of the current building concluded on July 5, 1920. On that day, all STOVIA educational activities moved to this new location on Jalan Salemba 6. For years, this white building was known as Geneeskundige Hogeschool.
During the Japanese occupation, the institution was renamed Ika Dai Gaku. After independence, it briefly became Balai Perguruan Tinggi Republik Indonesia or BPTRI. In 1946, the Indonesian government established Nood-Universitet or Universitas Darurat. It then became Universiteit van Indonesie with five faculties.
Following the recognition of sovereignty, the government took over Universiteit van Indonesie. It merged it with Balai Perguruan Tinggi Republik Indonesia. This created a new higher education institution called Universitet Indonesia. Today, this historic building serves as the Fakultas Kedokteran UI.
This building has been recognized as a cultural heritage site. It is protected by SK Menteri NoPM.13/PW.007/MKP/05. It underwent renovations in 1984. These cost around Rp 300 million at the time.
The establishment of Dokter Djawa School was linked to combating infectious diseases. These included typhoid, cholera, and dysentery. These diseases plagued areas like Banyumas and Purwokerto. Limited Dutch medical personnel and traditional treatments proved insufficient. Dr. W. Bosch suggested training local youth as assistant doctors.
The government decreed that 30 Javanese youths from reputable families would be trained. They had to be literate in Malay and Javanese. They would become native doctors and vaccinators. After training, they were required to serve in government as smallpox vaccinators.
The Dokter Djawa School initially offered a two-year program. It expanded to include students from Minangkabau and Minahasa. The curriculum expanded to include treating fever and abdominal pain. The language of instruction was Malay. Graduates were employed as smallpox vaccinators. Some assisted in hospitals and aided military doctors.
Later, STOVIA students were required to reside in dormitories. Strict discipline and responsibility were enforced. A contract bound graduates to government service for ten years. Failure to comply required repayment of educational costs.
In July 1920, STOVIA’s educational activities moved to the new building in Salemba. The old STOVIA building became a dormitory. In 1925, it transitioned into a school for MULO and AMS levels. The Japanese occupation in 1942 ended its use as an educational facility.
So, as you stand before Fakultas Kedokteran dan Kesehatan Gedung Barat remember its legacy. It has been a center of medical education. It has produced generations of healthcare professionals. It stands as a symbol of progress. It is a testament to Indonesia’s dedication to health and learning.