Indonesia looks to the future with digital health reforms

Jakarta skyline

Southeast Asia’s most populous nation is poised to advance in healthcare digitalisation.

In the first nine months of the year, Indonesia emerged second behind Singapore in healthtech deal volume and deal value in Southeast Asia, according to a DealStreetAsia report, The State of Healthtech in SE Asia 2023. Indonesia accounted for 13 percent and 26 percent share of Southeast Asian markets that included Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines.

This momentum is further fuelled by the recent enactment of Law No.17 of 2023, “Health Omnibus Law”, which revokes 11 previous laws and introduces a series of reforms to rebuild Indonesia’s healthcare system. Enacted by Indonesia’s President in August 2023, Law No.17 addresses systemic vulnerabilities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among Law No.17’s reforms is the provision for licensed Health Service Facilities and medical professionals to extend care and health services through telemedicine (Article 172), praised for its effectiveness and considered a major contributor to Indonesia’s COVID-19 response.

Among Indonesia’s digital health success stories is HaloDoc, based in Jakarta—a telemedicine platform that links users to a network of 19,000 licensed doctors, 1,000 certified partner pharmacies via the medical delivery service ApotikAntar, and licensed medical laboratory services. As of July 2023, Halodoc has secured $258 million in funding.

Good Doctor Technology (Good Doctor) is another noteworthy player, functioning as a technology-based integrated healthcare provider with the vision of “One Doctor for Every Family in Indonesia.” Good Doctor has partnered with Grab to offer comprehensive telemedicine services. GrabHealth aims to deliver access to quality healthcare services for Indonesian patients.

Author

  • Matthew Brady

    Matt is an award-winning storyteller, writer, and communicator currently based in Riyadh. A native Englishman, his career has led him to diverse locations including China, Hong Kong, Iraq, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In addition to founding HealthTechAsia, Matt is a co-founder of the non-profit Pul Alliance for Digital Health and Equity. In a former life, he oversaw editorial coverage for Arab Health, Asia Health, Africa Health, and other key events. In 2021, he won a Medical Travel Media Award, organised by Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, and a Guardian Student Media Award in 2000.

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By Matthew Brady

Matt is an award-winning storyteller, writer, and communicator currently based in Riyadh. A native Englishman, his career has led him to diverse locations including China, Hong Kong, Iraq, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In addition to founding HealthTechAsia, Matt is a co-founder of the non-profit Pul Alliance for Digital Health and Equity. In a former life, he oversaw editorial coverage for Arab Health, Asia Health, Africa Health, and other key events. In 2021, he won a Medical Travel Media Award, organised by Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, and a Guardian Student Media Award in 2000.

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