Have you seen a man skilled in his work? That man will be employed in the palace of kings, not in the house of the common man. (Proverbs 22:29, NKJV)

The Proverbs quote aptly describes the figure of Prof. Dr G.A. Siwabessy. A capable person, a person who works diligently, who is trustworthy and able to complete the tasks entrusted to him will gain greater trust.

 

The younger generation born after the 1990s may not remember much about him. Let alone recognise and appreciate his extensive service to our beloved republic. From a village boy in the interior of Saparua, Gerrit Augustinus Siwabessy will later be known as the Father of the Indonesian Atom, the originator and founder of Askes (Health Insurance) which is the forerunner of the Health Social Security Organisation (BPJS), the founder of BATAN (National Atomic Energy Agency) which is directly under the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Extraordinary Professor in Radiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, the founder and First Dean of the Faculty of Sciences and Natural Sciences (now FMIPA), University of Indonesia which was also the pilot project of the University of Indonesia: 400;">pilot projectFMUs across Indonesia.FMUs across Indonesia.

Siwabessy's career in government was long and spanned many fields. Consecutively from 1961-1964 as Minister of the National Atomic Energy Agency (formerly Director General of BATAN); 1966-1978 as Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (the longest serving health minister in Indonesia) and finally 1978-1982 as Member of the Supreme Advisory Council of the Republic of Indonesia which he served until his death. 

 

He received honours during his lifetime, including: Bintang Mahaputra III Utama RI in Atomic Power (1968); Bintang Mahaputra II Adhipradana RI in Health (1973); Doctor Honoris Causa (Doctor in Humane Letters) from Siliman University, Philippines (1973), as well as a Leopold Star from the Kingdom of Belgium. Even after his death, Siwabessy still received many awards.  

Various foreign aid he utilised to build a hospital laboratory in Bandung,  intensive care(emergency department) in Jakarta,floating hospital(hospital ship) in Maluku, equipment and health facilities for public hospitals in Semarang and Purwokerto, and the comprehensive development of Community Health Centres (Puskesmas).

In addition to building cooperation with the international community, he also established cooperation between Departments, especially with the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Social Affairs and the Department of Education and Culture to succeed in health programmes that required the support of other sectors.

Siwabessy was born in the village of Negeri Ullath, Saparua, 19 August 1914. Don't imagine the village as it is today. In the early 20th century, Negeri Ullath was just a village in the middle of a clove plantation, connected by a dirt road. Enoch Siwabessy, verse Gerrit Agustinus Siwabessy, was a clove farmer. But Enoch never got to see Gerrit grow up. Because when Gerrit was only one year old his father died. Shortly afterwards his mother, Naatje Manuhutu, remarried a village teacher named Yakob Leuwol. His stepfather was very fond of Gerrit and his siblings.

At that time in Maluku, teaching was an honoured profession. Together with the priest and the ruler of the land, they were the latu pati or an important group in village life and activities. They are commonly addressed as Tuan Guru. It can be said that Siwabessy, who was born as a farmer's son, was fortunate to have a stepfather who was a teacher.

 

The teaching profession, like the military, was a profession opened up by the Dutch to the people of Maluku, especially Central Maluku. Since the 17th century, besides monopolising the clove trade in Maluku, the Dutch also brought Christianity there. It was the Dutch priests who educated the village teachers, who were then instrumental in teaching the village children to read, count and sing.

As a travelling teacher, Tuan Guru Yakob Leuwol moved from Larike, Tawiri, to Lateri. Siwabessy remembers these areas as his childhood playground. He always followed his father to teach even though the distance travelled was quite far. They had to walk several kilometres, tiring for Siwabessy's little legs. It seems that Tuan Guru Yakob placed great importance on his sons' education, preparing them for a good quality education from an early age. 

When Siwabessy was 7 years old, he was sent to Ambon to attend Ambonsche Burger School (HIS level or primary school with a seven-year study period). At that time, only the children of community leaders and Dutch East Indies government officials were allowed to enter Dutch schools.Different from his two older brothers, Jonathan and Obed Siwabessy who chose to join the KNIL army, because they wanted to earn their own income immediately, G.A. Siwabessy decided to continue his education to MULO because MULO graduates could continue their education to a higher level. Students who were poor but had good achievements had the opportunity to get a scholarship. The school principal recommended the scholarship through the ministry in charge of education at that time.

Since his school days, little Siwabessy has loved learning. No wonder he graduated from MULO Ambon in 1931 with very good grades. He managed to get a scholarship to continue to higher education. He really wanted to become an engineer because he was very interested in the field of Physics. At that time, the aspirations of Maluku children had begun to shift from teachers and the military towards doctors and engineers. However, because the scholarships available were only for medical education, Siwabessy dashed his hopes of becoming an engineer and switched to becoming a doctor.

At that time, higher education accepted MULO graduates and college took 9 or 10 years. The medical school was in Surabaya, the Nederlandsch Indische Artsen School (NIAS). At that time, the one in Jakarta was called Batavia School tot Opleiding van Indische Artsen (STOVIA) which later became Geneeskundige Hogeshool. Siwabessy continued his education at NIAS Surabaya.

When he was 17 years old, young Siwabessy lived with vigour. Despite coming from a family of teachers, he remained a humble country boy. The only big city he knew before was Ambon. By ship, he travelled alone to Surabaya, the second trading city on Java. In Surabaya he met and befriended many colleagues from various regions, not just from Maluku. A friendly person, he quickly adapted to his fellow students in NIAS. One of Siwabbesy's shortcomings was that he was not very fluent in Dutch, the language of instruction at his university.

“Beta Dutch is not good. Dad understands Dutch, but doesn't speak it on a daily basis. To improve his Dutch, his Moluccan friends, such as Karel Staa, Syuurt Latupeirissa and Usmany, recommended that he stay with the Lopulalan family, whose wife was Dutch. The boarding house in Pacarkeling was indeed the most appropriate," Siwabessy wrote in his memoirs.

Although familiar with many students from Maluku, Siwabessy was also friendly with fellow students from various regions such as Muhammad Imam, Ibnu Sutowo (later to become Director of Pertamina), Rubiono Kertopati (later to become Head of the Army Password Section), Rambitan (later to become a doctor at Garuda Airline), and so on. This is where Siwabessy began to get to know various other tribes which later built his spirit of nationalism in fighting for independence.

In addition to being diligent in his studies, Siwabessy was also hungry for non-academic knowledge. To improve his knowledge, confidently, as an 18-year-old, he often chatted with Mr J. Latuharhary, the leader of Sarekat Ambon, who was then a judge at the Kraksaan and Malang District Courts. Like many Moluccan students, he became a member of the Christen Studentent Vereniniging (CSV) in Surabaya. However, he tried to attend the discussions and general meetings organised by Sarekat Ambon. For him, the organisation was an arena to learn about the problems of the national movement, especially the problems of the Moluccan people.

In the midst of their busy schedules, Siwabessy and his friends from Maluku were sometimes unable to shake off their homesickness. As a way out, they founded the organisation Memadjoekan Cultuur Maloekoe(MCM).cultuur or culture was deliberately chosen to illustrate that their organisation aims to express creativity in the field of arts and culture.

In 1939, Siwabessy was in his final year of university, but his MCM activities intensified. He organised various performances of plays, music, dances in various cities in East Java and Madura. Of course, this activity was very draining for Siwabessy, especially since every time he returned to Surabaya, he had to study hard to face various exams. In 1939, he took the Semi Arts (prospective doctor) exam. Finally, a blow was dealt to him. Siwabessy failed the exam. In fact, he contracted a lung disease and had to be treated for six months at the Sanatorium Lawang (Malang).

Do not give up

Siwabessy never gave up. Day after day he began to study harder. If he felt sleepy in the middle of the night, he would put his feet in a bucket of water that he placed under the table. In 1941, he successfully graduated as a Semi Arts and was required to undergo co-schapfor one year. This obligation was undertaken while waiting for the opportunity to take the Aris (doctor) examination in February 1942.

However, the situation was different. Japanese expansion began to loom over Indonesia. The Dutch East Indies government passed the war danger act (SOB). As a precaution, the government needed doctors to be posted outside Java. Prospective doctors who completed co-schapbut have not taken the Arts examination are given a provisional diploma(Nooddiploma). Then they were hurriedly sent to their duty stations. Siwabessy was posted to BPM Hospital in Cepu. It had only been two months since the Japanese army conquered the Dutch East Indies. The situation became very difficult. This forced Siwabessy and his family to leave Cepu and return to Surabaya. 

“ Without a doctor's diploma beta can not do much, can not open a practice, ” he said. Meanwhile the NIAS campus is under the authority of NIAS. Dr Van Zeben, was arrested by the Japanese. His successor, Dr Mohammad Syaaf, did not dare to issue the diploma. A diploma meant a lot to Siwabessy, who at that time was married to Reny Poetiray, his best friend at MCM.

While in college, Siwabessy excelled in Physics. He intended to develop his medical knowledge in that direction. In addition, his familiarity with Dr Laumetten, the head of Lawang Mental Hospital, made him interested in psychiatry. However, he had to forget all that because the demands of earning a living for his family were far more important. One day he met his old friend in NIAS, Dr Sutjahyo, a lung specialist who was in charge of the Radiology Department of Simpang Hospital. “He invited beta to help in that department, although he was not interested, but for the sake of survival, beta accepted the offer.” Siwabessy's job was as a radiology assistant, not as a doctor. 

The job opportunity meant having to learn again. He was 28 years old at the time, but his enthusiasm for learning never faded. He studied a stack of books on radiology. "Through the guidance of these books, beta tried to move the dangerous equipment because it used high voltage electricity and X-ray radiation. Thankfully, he slowly mastered the tool.””

Subsequently, he persevered in studying clinical radiology and grew to love the field. Fortunately, Simpang Hospital had a new Head of Radiology, Dr R.M. Notokrowo. Siwabessy used the opportunity to study with this doctor to deepen his knowledge. Meanwhile, he also had to study hard to take the Arts exam at the Geneekundige Hoogenschool, Jakarta. On 15 December 1942, he successfully passed his Arts exam. Returning to Surabaya on 1 January 1943, Siwabessy was officially a doctor, meaning he could open a practice and improve the economic condition of his household.

It just so happened that Simpang Hospital had Dr Abdurrachman Saleh, a doctor with knowledge of electronics (also famous as an AURI aviator who died a hero during the revolution). “ He was actually an expert in physiology, but an expert in electronics. The field of radiology, in addition to the clinical aspect, also relies on engineering and electronics.

Radiology.

“ Beta's knowledge increased rapidly after studying with Dr Abdurrachman Saleh. He gradually mastered various aspects of radiology. At that time, there were few radiologists, so during his work he was assisted by an X-ray assistant, Mrs Lies Kawilarang, who mastered the technique of radiology. Lies Kawilarang who mastered the technique of photographing and administration of the radiology section," he explained.

Two years after graduating as a doctor, Siwabessy was appointed Head of Radiology at Simpang Hospital. A field that had not been his ambition, it would determine the course of his later life. He held the position until the end of November 1945.

 

Their first son, Amakora was born on 10 June 1945. Amakora means the captain of a kora-kora boat, a traditional Moluccan warship. Two months later on 19 August 1945, news of independence reached their home on Jl. Biliton, Surabaya. The Siwabessy family welcomed it with emotion and joy. They were bravely the only family to put up the red and white flag in their yard. After the events of the people of Surabaya on 10 November 1945, the doctors at Simpang Hospital were asked to leave the city. Siwabessy and his family also evacuated. 

After experiencing various events during the armed conflict of the Indonesian independence war in 1947, Siwabessy officially became an employee of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. At that time, the capital of Indonesia was in Yogyakarta and Siwabessy was temporarily assigned to the polyclinic of Petronella Struggle Hospital (now Bethesda Hospital). In this city, he had the opportunity to expand his network of contacts with doctors from other cities, such as Dr Sutomo Tjokronegoro, Dr Mochtar, Dr Sarwono Prawirohardjo, Dr Surono, and Dr Ariotedjo.

 

He was also friendly with fellow doctors from Maluku, such as Dr J. Leimena who was then Minister of Health, as well as Dr Samallo, and Dr Picauli who became an accomplished surgeon. Doctor Picauli often invited Siwabessy when performing surgery. For Siwabessy, this was certainly an opportunity to expand his knowledge. In 1947, Dr Leimena assigned Siwabessy to assist Prof. Dr. W.Z. Johannes, Head of Radiology at Salemba College Hospital (in the 1950s it was called Central General Hospital and later renamed Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital) in Jakarta. After that, the world of radiology truly became Siwabessy's world. It wasn't long before Prof Dr Johannes gave Siwabessy his brevet as a radiology specialist.

 

Deepening Science Abroad

As the Indonesian Minister of Health, it seems that Dr J. Leimena took note of Siwabessy's achievements and willingness to learn. In 1949, after the Round Table Conference (RTC) negotiations that marked the recognition of sovereignty over the Republic of Indonesia, Leimena encouraged Siwabessy to deepen his knowledge abroad. Health Minister Leimena and FKUI Dean Prof. Dr W.Z. Johannes gave Siwabessy a letter of recommendation for a scholarship.The British Council provided three scholarships for advanced study in the UK. This is, of course, great news. However, Siwabessy was only proficient in Dutch, whereas English was a prerequisite for further study in the UK. In those days, there were no English courses as there are today. Again, the desire to get results pushed him to create his own learning system.

Siwabessy bought the book The Discovery of India, by Jawaharlal Nehru (Prime Minister of India), which he found to be very smooth English. He read the book over and over again with great care. This not only increased his knowledge of the English vocabulary, but also broadened his horizons about Indian history, their sufferings and struggles, especially the fascinating life of Jawaharlal Nehru, he said.

He was awarded the scholarship along with Mr Laili Ruzad who studied International Relations and Dr Sutomo Tjokronegoro who studied Pathology. Siwabessy brought along his wife Renny Poetiray and sons Amakora and Bara Lasjkar. However, for three months, his family was kept at the home of a relative in the Netherlands. He travelled alone to Londok and stayed at Mrs De Lange's house. It turned out that the effort to learn English independently was quite effective. Siwabessy was able to communicate with his host mother. After attending education to deepen his English, he confidently communicated with all his colleagues and professors on campus.

The scholarship was only valid for a 12-month study period plus several months visiting radiology and nuclear medicine centres in Manchester, Leeds, Edinburg and Glasgow. Siwabessy cleverly organised this so that he could gain as much knowledge as possible.

“I do not teach diplomas, I told them this from the beginning. A brevet from Prof Dr Johannes is enough. In the UK, I want to increase my knowledge in radiobiology, radiochemistry, radiationphysics. So I want to increase my knowledge in radiology and radiotherapy, plus basic knowledge in the field of atoms," he said.

Theoretical knowledge he wanted was acquired at the Department of Radiology at London University. He undertook clinical practice at Hammersmith Hospital which is a hospital in the west of the City of London. Hammersmith Hospital was an ideal place to gain knowledge in the field of medicine, as it served as a centre for post-graduate training programmes for London University and the Medical Research Council. It was here that Siwabessy gained cutting-edge knowledge in his studies.Three months into his studies, he was already appointed as an assistant so that he could leave his regular student duties. He was surprised to find that the medical education at NIAS and the guidance in radiology from specialists such as Dr Notokworo and Dr Johannes was not inferior to that in the UK. He was quite knowledgeable and skilled in radiology. As an assistant he was in charge of one ward (zaal) and was assigned a secretary.

Siwabessy was known as a very diligent and knowledge-hungry assistant. Every day he arrived early before work began. He took the opportunity to research radiotherapy cases. In a short time, he learnt about the development of radiology and radiotherapy at the hospital. Armed with this knowledge, he was able to have scientific discussions with his professors. He was always involved in case presentations and discussions with specialists from various fields of medicine on campus and in the hospital. The leadership staff in the radiology department also liked Siwabessy's readiness with data, as he followed the ward rounds every day.

At that time in England a medical science was developing called nuclear medicine. Various discoveries of this science are already being used for cancer treatment. Siwabessy was interested in the new science. To his knowledge, natural isotopes such as radium were used for radiological purposes, but nuclear medicineusing artificial isotopes produced from atomic reactors such as Phospor (P 32), Iodine (J 131) and Ferrum (Fe 59), and so on. According to him, knowledge in the field of atoms is indispensable for developing the field of radiology. 

 

His first introduction to the science came when he had the opportunity to spend three months at a cancer hospital in Manchester led by Dr Patterson. Then for a month, he visited the Royal Infirmary in Edinburg under Prof Mc Whirter. Both doctors are renowned radiotherapy experts in the UK. Not only that, Siwabessy was also acquainted with atomic experts who dealt with the field of nuclear physics, chemistry, biology, radiation physics, radiation chemistry, radiation biology, and radiotherapy. Siwabessy's friendly and enthusiastic demeanour charmed these experts and they were happy to share their knowledge with him.

Dedicating Knowledge and Pioneering New Fields of Science for the Nation

On his return to Indonesia in 1951, he was posted as hoofd-asistentin the X-ray department at the Central General Hospital. Together with several assistants, he performed clinical duties for the benefit of all departments in the hospital. However, his superior, Prof. Dr Johannes, who was then Dean at FKUI and Acting Rector of UI, assigned him as a lecturer (Lektor Luar Biasa) for radiology courses.Radiology.

“ From the experience in London, beta decided to lecture the basics of radiological science so that this science can develop. When I was at NIAS, I only received lectures in the field of applied radiology, only a little basic knowledge. Beta hopes that the lectures for level 2 and 3 will be sufficient basic knowledge to support the applied knowledge provided by the assistants in the Radiology Department of RSUP," he explained.

Observing the condition of the radiology field in RSUP, he saw the need to develop and improve it. He realised that the development of radiology in Indonesia was still at an early stage. The equipment used in some hospitals in Indonesia was old. In addition, some of the technical personnel who were Dutch had returned to their country.

 

In 1952, he pioneered the establishment of an X-ray Assistant School at RSUP that accepted junior high school graduates. After three years of education, graduates were sent to various hospitals in the region. To improve equipment, he established the Radiology Institute at the Ministry of Health. Through this institution, new equipment was sought and Dutch experts who were still living in Indonesia were retained while waiting for doctors who graduated from the medical faculty.

On 4 September 1952, Prof. W.Z. Johannes passed away. Siwabessy was assigned to replace him as the Acting Head of the Radiology Department of the Hospital. As an expert, his duties became more demanding as he was asked by the Army Hospital (now Gatot Subroto Army Hospital) and Yang Seng Ie Hospital (now Husada Hospital) as a consultant in the radiology department of the hospital. He also mentored doctors who took up radiology expertise. He also had to train several lung specialists for radiological work. In his various activities, Siwabessy was also unable to refuse the request of his old friend during the independence revolution, Dr Sarlono, who was seriously ill, to replace him as Director of St Carolus Hospital.

Fostering International Co-operation in the Development of Science

The existence of the Institute of Radiology in Indonesia is recognised by other countries. The Institute was invited to various conferences. One of the most important was the International Radiological Conference in Copenhagen in 1953. This was the second conference after the end of World War II, and the first since Siwabessy finished his studies in London. In this conference, various developed countries such as: The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the Netherlands showcased the latest discoveries in the field of radiology. Experts presented scientific papers. For Siwabessy, the conference was an arena to broaden his horizons and expand his international network.

“Beta presented a paper, not about the progress of radiological science in our country, but about the efforts that Indonesia has made in building and advancing radiological science, ” he explained. 

In the midst of this busy struggle for the field of radiology, an event suddenly occurred that determined the course of his life in the future. It began with the United States attempting a hydrogen bomb on Eniwetok Island in the Pacific Ocean. Of course, the Indonesian government was worried about the impact of radioactivity through the sea and air, because some areas of Indonesia border the Pacific Ocean. President Soekarno was looking for who and what organisation could measure radioactive levels in the air, sea and land.

The most suitable choice at that time was the Radiological Institute of the Ministry of Health. There was Geiger ” equipment and other equipment to measure the radiation level of radioactive elements. However, this equipment was used for radiological guidance in hospitals in Indonesia. The field is different, so there needs to be a new platform as a foundation for work. Who is the most appropriate figure to pioneer it? Who else if not Siwabessy. He had studied atoms when he was in England.

“Beta was appointed Chairman of the Radioactivity and Atomic Energy Research Committee. The committee consisted of representatives of agencies such as Meteorology, Army, Air Force, Navy, and scientists such as Prof. Ir Herman Johannes (cousin of the late Prof. W.Z. Johannes) and Dr Baikuni from Gajah Mada University, Dr Rubiono from RSPAD, Prof. Ir Gunarso from ITB. The Institute of Radiology assigned Erman Natawijaya and Sombu Pilay, an Indian expert, as field researchers.

 

Developing Human Resources to Master Technology

Based on his experience studying in the UK and his association with world-class scientists at various radiological conferences, Siwabessy believes that research activities are supporting knowledge. Initial research on radioactive issues was carried out by examining sea water, plants, especially grasses, targeting Manado, Ambon and Timor. At that time Papua, although close to the Pacific Ocean, was still under Dutch rule. The results showed that these areas were not exposed to radioactivity.

It would not be Siwabessy if he was satisfied with such an achievement. His two field researchers, Erman Natawijaya and Sombu Pilay, need to step up their game. Indonesia must be ready with international quality researchers to face the next nuclear developments. The two researchers were sent to study in the UK. He is determined, if he became knowledgeable, skilled and expert because of learning, then other Indonesians must get the same opportunity.

While the republic was still young, it seemed that the vision of those in power in the Republic of Indonesia in the 1950s was far ahead. The United States under President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961) was nuclear for peace. Enthusiastic about the development of nuclear knowledge, in 1958 the government established the Atomic Energy Institute with Siwabessy as its head. The institute was under the Secretary of State. After getting the green light from the government, Siwabessy also prepared his experts to undergo studies abroad.

In 1958, a number of graduates of the Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics and Natural Sciences UI Bandung (in the Dutch East Indies era called Technische Hogeschool (TH), after independence united in Universitas Indonesia (UI), in 1961 changed to Institut Teknologi Bandung) and Gajah Mada University were interested in deepening nuclear science and technology. Through the Institute of Radiology, they received scholarships from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to study in various countries. Of course, this delighted Siwabessy. He told them that the most important thing is the willingness and craft of learning, intelligence is secondary. Siwabessy believes that the graduates of these universities are certainly smart people, but they need to be encouraged and encouraged because one day their expertise will be needed by the nation and state.

Scholars were sent to study nuclear science in the USA, UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Yugoslavia and so on. Many of them later became experts who started their careers at the Atomic Energy Agency.

Between 1954 and 1948, Siwabessy diligently attended radiological, nuclear, science conferences and exhibitions on nuclear-related issues in various countries. Understandably, information technology at that time was not as sophisticated as it is now. If you want to build a network of contacts, increase your knowledge and see the latest discoveries, you must often visit developed countries. In order to develop the knowledge of his fellow scientists, Siwabessy always included fellow radiologists or atomic experts in every travel opportunity. 

 

In each visit, it is always organised so that he and his team can also participate in various other activities to deepen their knowledge. For example, when attending the "Atom for Peace" conference in Geneva, Switzerland, he and the Atomic Energy Institute team seriously observed the exhibits of radioactive detection equipment, water and oil velocity meters in pipes, and small reactors for education. After the conference, he travelled to Italy to meet his fellow London radiologist, Dr Palmieri, for a discussion. The group then visited Hammersmith Hospital, London.

When Siwabessy attended the III International Radiological Conference in Mexico City, he took the opportunity to visit the United States. He was tireless, visiting various radiological equipment factories, car factories in Detroit, Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, and the atomic power centre at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Siwabessy and his team even went as far as to visit the city of Oak Ridge, which is famous as a research and development centre for coal-fired, petroleum-fired, waterfall and nuclear power technologies.

Siwabessy is increasingly convinced of the prospect of using nuclear power in Indonesia. According to him, the benefits of atomic power for peaceful purposes are various such as nuclear physics, nuclear engineering, nuclear chemistry, radioisotope manufacturing, radiation protection safety and safe guard aspects, geological aspects, and their sub-sections, survey, exploration, and so on. So for the development of nuclear science and technology, experts from various disciplines are needed, such as: geophysics, geochemistry, chemistry-physics, to computer technology.

“ From conversations with experts at atomic power centres abroad, beta found that they have diverse scientific backgrounds. For example, a radiobiologist is a natural science expert who deepens his knowledge with biology. Beta also realised that to develop nuclear power, basic sciences such as Mathematics, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry must be improved. The interaction between various fields of science such as Nuclear Chemistry with Applied Mathematics, Biology and Computer Technology will produce reliable experts, he explained.

Pioneering the Use of Nuclear Power in Indonesia

In 1956, Siwabessy was appointed Extraordinary Professor at the University of Indonesia. In his inaugural speech on 10 April 1957, he pointed out the importance of nuclear knowledge to support other fields of science, such as: health, industry and so on. He also emphasised the importance of mastering the basic sciences.

Siwabessy's concern for the advancement of education was great. In 1961, when ITB established the Department of Natural Sciences, which was originally part of Universitas Indonesia and later incorporated into ITB, UI asked Siwabessy to pioneer and form the Faculty of Pasti and Ilmu Alam (FIPIA, now called FMIPA) at UI. Thanks to his presence and experience at the Atomic Energy Institute, he was able to fulfil this request. Siwabessy became the Dean (1963-1965) while the Atomic Energy Institute experts became lecturers while FIPIA produced its own teaching staff.

He was also a member of President Soekarno's team of doctors, a figure who in the 1930s instilled nationalism and patriotism in him. Their relationship was quite close. Presumably the President saw how enthusiastic Siwabessy was about nuclear utilisation in Indonesia, to the extent that Soekarno told him, "Hang your ideals as high as the stars in the sky, Gerrit." The message emboldened him to make great strides.

In 1957, an isotope laboratory was built in Pasar Jumat, Jakarta, followed by an isotope laboratory at Gajah Mada University. Since sending its scholars to the United States to study nuclear, ITB also wanted to build an educational nuclear reactor. Obviously, the construction requires a very expensive cost. The Department of Cultural Education (now the Ministry of National Education) was not able to provide the budget.

Meanwhile in 1964, the Atomic Energy Institute was upgraded to the National Atomic Energy Agency (BATAN). Siwabessy became its Director General, reporting directly to the President. His first goal, of course, was to realise a nuclear reactor for education. The construction was carried out by ITB graduates. It turned out that they were quite reliable, because the American consultants involved only had to supervise. In 1962, the Taman Sari Educational Nuclear Reactor at ITB was inaugurated by President Sukarno.

The year 1965 was an ordeal for the Republic of Indonesia, following the G30S. After being appointed Minister of BATAN in the Hundred Ministers Cabinet, Siwabessy was then appointed Minister of Health in the Ampera Cabinet. He held this position for 12 years.

 

“ The responsibilities of this position were not easy, beta had to learn intensively about public health. A new pattern must be prepared for the Department of Health (now the Ministry of Health) Beta must get used to thinking broadly beyond beta's own scientific field, especially since public health development is always related to other fields. Thinking must be multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral. Fortunately, when coordinating the Institute of Radiology and BATAN, beta is already accustomed to thinking broadly and multidimensionally," he said.

Another speciality of SIwabessy emerges again. When learning new things, it must be fundamental to know the root of the problem. He found a discussion partner in Prof. Dr Sulianti, an epidemiologist, his old colleague when he passed his medical exams in 1942. Prof. Dr Sulianti who served as Director General of the Ministry of Health, a well-known epidemiologist at home and abroad, he studied public health.

According to Siwabessy, Indonesia's public health problems are rooted in low quality of life. Quality of life improves when the per capita income of the people is high enough. In 1967, the per capita income of Indonesians was US70 per year (the value of the dollar at that time was Rp. 200, so the income was approximately Rp. 14,000). With such a low income, it was impossible for Indonesians to obtain highly nutritious food, obtain clean water services, and live in healthy and decent homes. These unavoidable circumstances condition the arrival of infectious diseases such as: malaria, typhoid, cholera, dysentery, and tuberculosis. Such diseases are common in poor countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Siwabessy concluded that the work programme of the Department of Health must be in harmony with the work programmes of the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Public Works. "Without consistent and serious cooperation with other departments and local governments, all development ideas from the centre will not be realised," he said. "Similarly, cooperation with the Department of Public Works, which builds facilities and infrastructure such as clean water, road networks and so on, is very important," he continued.

Since 1967, Siwabessy has made Indonesia a participating country Global Smallpox Eradication Programme(SEP). Indonesia immediately launched a six-year global smallpox eradication programme. In 1974, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised the success of the Indonesian Ministry of Health under his leadership in freeing the whole of Indonesia from the threat of smallpox. An achievement to be proud of.

According to Siwabessy's analysis, in conditions when the level of public welfare is not too high, the government must proactively persuade the people to improve their hygiene and health. The trick is to provide health facilities and infrastructure up to the village level. The number of BKIAs (Maternal and Child Welfare Centres) must be increased because they are the first aid facilities for ordinary health cases. Community Health Centres (Puskesmas) should be built in every sub-district. However, since the infrastructure such as roads and transport facilities are not yet adequate, cars and boats should be built at the puskesmas.

 

How is the service delivery going? According to Siwabessy, every BKIA should have a midwife or nurse, but for puskesmas there should be a doctor. Now that might be considered easy to implement. But Siwabessy announced his vision at the end of the 60s, when the country was in a state of chaos and cleaning up after the G30S. Health workers, including doctors, nurses and midwives, were in short supply, and most of them were in Java.

To make Puskesmas a centre for health information and services, doctors need to have knowledge of public health. They also need to be accompanied by sanitary lighting officers. They are at the forefront of educating the people. Teaching people how to live a clean life, vaccinations and building family latrines are priorities.

Similar to his strategy in 1951, as an Extraordinary Lecturer at FKUI who prioritised the teaching of basic sciences, he instructed the addition of a curriculum at FKUI on the fundamentals of public health and extension strategies to achieve public health. In addition, Siwabessy emulated the ABRI strategy of obtaining doctors through conscription, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with other agencies launched the Inpres Doctor programme. New doctors must be willing to be stationed at a health centre for three years. They receive a salary and various allowances to make ends meet. Curriculum enhancements with public health knowledge and skills were also made in the education of nurses and midwives.

Interestingly, Siwabessy's ability to open international networks and establish multilateral co-operation enabled many world agencies to provide various assistance to Indonesia. Organisations such as: WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, USAID, Medicare, provided technical, material and financial assistance. Their experts are involved in assisting health programmes and projects in the field.

One other issue that Siwabessy was concerned about was the procurement of medicines. In the 1950s-1960s, medicines were expensive and few were made domestically. For this reason, the first step was to revamp the State Company Kimia Farma by making it effective and efficient in carrying out drug production and distribution. Government-owned institutions that produce vaccines and serums were modernised and productivity increased, such as Biofarma & Bandung and similar institutions in Surabaya, Medan and Makassar. To overcome the shortage of human resources, faculties of pharmacy were established in various universities and pharmacist assistant schools in various provinces.

Following the Cabinet

After his duties as a cabinet member, Siwabessy was asked to become a member of the Great Advisory Council who served as an Advisor to the President. He held this position from 1978 until Siwabessy died one quiet night on 11 November 1982 in Jakarta. His remains were buried at TMP Kalibata.

 

In 1987, President Soeharto inaugurated the largest multipurpose reactor in Southeast Asia, named the "G.A. Siwabessy Multipurpose Reactor", as a tribute to the Father of the National Atom who had pioneered the development of nuclear science and technology in Indonesia.

Universitas Indonesia in June 2009 named one of the streets in the campus complex in Depok, Jl. Prof. Dr. G.A. Siwabessy to commemorate his role as one of the scientists who has served the world of education, technology development and health.

In 2011, the Ministry of Health named its large public meeting room "Auditorium Prof. Dr. G.A. Siwabessy". Siwabessy is to this day the longest serving Minister of Health, having served for 12 years. A year later, BPJS Kesehatan named the Prof. Dr. G.A. Siwabessy Building ” and a memorabilia room to commemorate his role as a pioneer of Health Insurance (Askes), which is now BPJS Kesehatan.

Elephants die leaving tusks, tigers die leaving stripes. Man dies leaving a name. This year 110 years ago God gave a Gerrit Augustinus Siwabessy to Indonesia. How many works he has given to the nation and state. One thing must be remembered, as Bara Lasjkar Siwabessy, one of his sons, said. If Siwabessy, who came from a remote village, could do so much for Indonesia, young people living today should be able to emulate his behaviour, at least his enthusiasm and hard work.