Indonesia and China establish joint lab for AI in medicine

Indonesia and China have agreed to expand cooperation in digital health through the creation of a joint laboratory focused on artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, Jakarta said, highlighting its potential to support health system development and the domestic medical industry.

Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus announced on Tuesday that Indonesia’s Health Ministry, Xuzhou Medical University (XZMU), and the National Standardization Agency (BSN) had signed a tripartite memorandum of agreement to establish the Joint Laboratory for Digital Medicine and Proactive Health.

The initiative is intended to promote collaboration in clinical treatment, research, standardisation, and the medical devices sector, with a focus on the regulated and safe use of digital technologies.

“This collaboration provides a foundation for developing a digital health system and deploying AI in medicine, aimed at improving the quality of public services,” Octavianus said.

The laboratory is expected to serve as a hub for applied research and innovation, helping Indonesia adapt emerging technologies to local needs while ensuring compliance with national standards.

During his visit to China, Octavianus said the Indonesian delegation observed AI applications in primary healthcare, including digital tools designed to enhance early diagnosis and patient management. The delegation also reviewed advances in molecular rapid test–based diagnostic tools for tuberculosis (TB), a disease Indonesia continues to address through its national elimination programme.

Octavianus emphasised that the cooperation includes technology transfer and efforts to strengthen the domestic medical devices industry, with plans to develop local production capacity for molecular rapid test kits. “International cooperation must deliver tangible benefits for our national capacity, including the ability to produce and innovate independently,” he said.

The deputy minister noted that overseas partnerships are guided by principles such as technology transfer, development of domestic capabilities, and the protection of sensitive health data. He expressed hope that the joint laboratory would further strengthen Indonesia-China bilateral ties in the health sector while supporting national priorities, including TB elimination and improvements in primary healthcare services.