Bengkulu, Feb. 6 -- Indonesia requires about 400 additional pediatric cardiologists to meet nationwide demand, the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) said Friday, citing limited coverage across the archipelago.

"Based on our calculations, roughly 500 pediatric heart consultants are needed, yet currently there are only around 100 nationwide," said IDAI chairman Piprim Basarah Yanuarso in Bengkulu.

The shortfall hampers access to care, especially for congenital heart disease, which affects about 1 in every 100 live births, he noted.

With 4.5 million to five million births annually in Indonesia, an estimated 50,000 children are born with congenital heart conditions each year.

Indonesia currently has about 6,000 pediatricians, slightly b...