PURPOSE:
This abstract presents Indonesia’s recent regulatory reform in midwifery as part of the enactment of Health Law No. 17 of 2023. The law establishes a legal and institutional foundation to improve midwifery quality and autonomy through integrated governance across education, registration, licensing, and continuous professional development. The reform position midwives as essential, accountable providers within the national health system.

DISCUSSION:
The new law replaces fragmented regulations with a unified framework that formally recognizes midwifery as a distinct profession. It mandates competency-based education, structured internships, standardized licensing (STR), and continuing professional development (CPD), overseen by the Midwifery Collegium and the newly established Human Resources for Health (HRH) Council. These provisions create a structured professional pathway—from education to workforce entry and career progression. A key innovation is the introduction of lifetime registration and streamlined licensing, eliminating endorsement requirements from professional organizations. These changes are supported by SATUSEHAT SDMK, a national digital platform that integrates registration, workforce data, and educational records. Midwives also gain access to Plataran Sehat, the Ministry of Health’s e-learning platform, to fulfill CPD requirements and strengthen clinical competencies.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
As of March 2024, more than 1.45 million health workers—including midwives—have transitioned to lifetime registration. A national user survey reported that 87% perceived the new system as more efficient, and 79% received their registration within 7–14 days. These changes reflect improved regulatory access, especially for providers in remote areas, and enhanced coordination between education, regulation, and service delivery.

KEY MESSAGE:
Indonesia’s health law reform enables midwives to grow as trusted, competent professionals—through clearer standards, digital innovation, and system-wide support across their career lifecycle. Spanish - labour and birth