8 - Medical Heroism and the Indonesian Revolution

Summary

On 17 August 1945, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed Indonesia’s independence at a modest ceremony in front of Sukarno’s house. The Dutch government refused to recognise Indonesia’s independence because it did not want to relinquish its former colonies. The Indonesian revolution was a lengthy and violent conflict, with numerous civilian casualties and systematic violence by Dutch military forces, including summary executions. Indonesia’s medical profession suffered as an unprecedented number of alternate career paths opened to medical students and young physicians. Some became military officers; others politicians, bureaucrats, ambassadors, or businessmen. In January 1946, the instructors at the Indonesian Medical School moved to Klaten, Solo, Yogyakarta, and Malang, the heartland of the Indonesian Republic, to continue medical teaching under demanding and often dangerous circumstances. Medical students furthered the cause of independence by joining the Indonesian armed forces and treating casualties near the front lines. Their work reinforced the strong association between physicians and Indonesian nationalism.