BACKGROUND

Every Indonesian citizen who works as a traditional healer should have SIPT/STPT
(Liscence/Registered as traditional healers) obtained from the Municipality or
District Health Office.
According to UU No. 29 tahun 2004 on Health Practice: the profession of a
physician is a medical work carried out by a scientific educational competencies
acquired through tiered learning and codes of conduct that are serving.
Until now, the traditional health care method that has been recognized for their
safety and benefits by the Indonesian people is acupuncture. Therefore the SIPT
is only issued to the Battra type of acupuncture that has been equipped with a
certificate of competence; while other types of acupuncture is only given STPT.
(Keputusan Menteri Kesehatan Nomor 128/MENKES/SK/II/2004 tentang Kebijakan
Dasar Pusat Kesehatan Masyarakat)
Alternative or traditional medicine, according to the Ministry of Health, has
formally given careful attention to the emergence and development of the
alternative or traditional medicine (Battra). The government recognizes some of
the divisions of battra in Indonesia, that are the: Dukun bayi, battra pijat/urut ,
dukun bayi tertatih, tukang jamu gendong, battra dengan ajaran agama,
paranormal, patah tulang, sunat, sunat, pangur gigi, tabib, tenaga dalam,
shinse, dan akupuntur (in Agusmarni , 2012).
Traditional treatment is regulated by the UU No. 36 Tahun 2009 on Health (Health
Act). Pasal 1 no. 16 of the health law regulates that: traditional medicine is the
care and/or treatment with techniques and medications that refers to and in
method, to the experience and skills that is inherently passed on in an empirical
manner, that is accountable and applied in accordance with the norms prevailing
in the society (Indonesia).
Coupled with the factors that affect people to choose traditional or alternative
medicine, namely the social, economic, cultural, psychological factors, and the
saturation of medical care, and knowledge factor (Agusmarni Soraya, 2012).
According to Pasal 13 KEPMENKES RI No. 1076 tahun 2003, it is stated that
traditional medicine can only be practiced if:
1. Does not endanger or debauch the rules of religion and the belief in the
Almighty God that is recognized in Indonesia;
2. Safe and beneficial to health;
3. Does not conflict with efforts to improve community health status; and
4. Does not conflict with norms and values that is in the community.
Differences between Battra and China on Traditional Medicine
In China, the Chinese traditional medicine practitioners must perform a
minimum of 3 months training, as set on the Chinese Traditional Medicine
regulation no. 691 in June 2002. In comparison, traditional medicine in
Indonesia is regulated in UU No. 36 Tahun 2009 on health (Health Act).
Pasal 1 no. 16 of the health law regulates that: traditional medicine is the
care and/or treatment with techniques and medications that refers to and
in method, to the experience and skills that is inherently passed on in an

empirical manner, that is accountable and applied in accordance with the

norms prevailing in the society (Indonesia). Many counties develop
medical and health services through a promotion that sometimes, the
information given does not correspond with the reality intended.
A solution is required, where quality control is taken for the promotion and
practice of traditional medicine. As for example, in China, there is already
an implementation on the promotion and regulation of Chinese traditional
medicine, undertaken by a government organization known as Xianfa (a
Constitution of the Peoples Republic).
In China, there is also process that verifies a treatment that wants to be
approved, along with the requirements to provide information about the
efficacy of the treatment via case reports, historical data, and other data
from scientific literatures.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Battar Indonesia has been recognized by the law, but by implementation,
there is still need to design and uphold the law for regulation process of
monitoring and approving traditional medicine. Treatment based on experience
in accordance to Pasal No. 36 tahun 2009 on Health supports of the action.
While modern medical treatment has been tested and already have a clear
standardization with protection from the malpractice legislation; traditional
medicine is protected under the consumers law. Battra can be a positive impact
and progressively help health in Indonesia if the regulations are set clear and has
made standardization of the treatment, such as in Chinese traditional medicine.
As a case example, Battra pijat has been used to treat renal stone in children.
The results are however inconclusive, with the treatment actually worsening the
condition as the renal stone is still evident. This example justifies the need for
regulation, to prevent and filter the unsafe medication and care of the many
traditional medicine practiced in Indonesia.
CONCLUSION
As stated in Pasal 13 KEPMENKES RI No. 1076 tahun 2003 about the usage
and distribution of traditional medicine; it is concluded that not all traditional
medicine stated and applied are meeting the requirements in safety and benefits
(and may actually worsen health). Medications that are given by Battra are not
verified of its efficacy, and through the authors suggestion, needs a filter for
standardization through medical research and approval.