Dr. Sulianti Saroso: Pioneering Leader in Indonesian Public Health
Image Courtesy: Google Doodle
Dr. Sulianti Saroso (10 May 1917 – 29 April 1991) was Indonesia’s first female doctor.
Life and Career
Julianti Saroso was born on 10 May 1917 in Karangasem, Bali. Her father was a doctor and inspired her interest in medicine at a young age. She went on to graduate with a medical degree from Geneeskundige Hoge School in 1942 and continued her education in Europe and the United States, where she earned several advanced degrees in public health.
Prof. Dr. Saroso also received a World Health Organization (WHO) scholarship to study maternal and child healthcare systems across Europe. When she returned to Indonesia in 1952, she helped bring birth control and family planning education to her homeland.
Shortly after her return, she joined the Ministry of Health to lead programs that improve healthcare access for women, children, and villagers. After a long and successful career in public health, Prof. Dr. Saroso began teaching at Airlangga University in 1969 and helped train the next generation of doctors and healthcare workers.
She died on 29 April 1991.
Award and Legacy
She went on to become the second female President of the World Health Assembly and served in several distinguished organizations — including the World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Maternal and Child Health, the UN Commission on Community Development in African Countries, and the Indonesian Women’s National Commission.
On 10 May 2023, Google celebrated Dr. Sulianti Saroso’s 106th birthday with a doodle. She was one of Indonesia’s first female doctors and was illustrated by guest artist Lenny. Prof. Dr. Saroso dedicated her life to helping vulnerable communities access quality healthcare
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