When the name of the association was finally changed in 1938 to Vereeniging
van Indonesische Geneeskundigen, few objected. At the first congress it
was resolved to send a friendly letter to the Association of European Physicians
expressing the hope that both associations would collaborate in the future, or
even that the European colonial vestige might be incorporated in the national
body. A motion adopted at the same meeting opposed “the existing
dualism in the medical corps.” Through its many activities in improving
the working conditions of Indonesian physicians and protesting against discriminatory
practices, the VIG would attempt to realize the ideals of social medicine
for all the Indonesian population. Of necessity, it had to stay within the
boundaries of what was legally allowed in the Indies at the time. Many
members of the VIG remained employed as physicians during the Japanese
occupation. A few became actively involved in the armed struggle against