International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities

Legal Uncertainty in the Criminal Liability of Health Workers: A Normative Analysis of Article 440 of the Health Law and Article 360 of the Criminal Code

Maryanto (Magister Hukum ,Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Jakarta , Jakarta, Indonesia)
Abdul Kolib (Magister Hukum ,Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Jakarta , Jakarta, Indonesia)
Handar Subhandi Bakhtiar (Magister Hukum ,Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Jakarta , Jakarta, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jun 2026

Abstract

Article 440(1) of Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health introduces a specific provision governing the criminal liability of health workers for medical negligence resulting in serious injury. Nevertheless, Supreme Court Decision Number 1241 K/Pid/2025 demonstrates that courts continued applying Article 360(1) of the Criminal Code despite the prosecutor’s indictment under Article 440. This study analyses the normative relationship between both provisions and its implications for legal certainty in medical negligence cases. The research employs a normative juridical method using statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. The findings show that the district court, high court, and Supreme Court consistently relied on Article 360 of the Criminal Code in convicting a nurse who performed circumcision without a practice licence outside an authorised health facility, causing permanent injury to a child patient. The judgments did not adequately address the applicability of Article 440 as a specific provision concerning medical negligence. The study identifies conflicts, overlaps, and vagueness of norms that contribute to inconsistent judicial interpretation. Therefore, clearer legislative formulation and Supreme Court guidelines are required to ensure legal certainty and consistency in adjudicating medical negligence cases involving health workers.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijssh

Publisher

Subject

Arts Environmental Science Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

(IJSSH). It is an international refereed journal in english published four monthly (every February, June, and October). The IJSSH is an international peer-reviewed, electronic, online journal in english that provides rapid publication of articles in all areas of the social science, humanity and ...