‘Embrace the spirit of connectedness,’ leaders implore at HIMSS23 APAC
Building on last year’s success in Bali, HIMSS23 APAC returns to Indonesia, this time in the capital Jakarta, to monitor the progress of digital healthcare transformations in the archipelago and beyond.
Themed “Health that connects, technology that cares”, this year’s conference focuses on a number of topics, including interoperability, cybersecurity, responsible use of AI and modernizing digital infrastructure. It is also expected that case studies across the region will share lessons in digital transformation.
“Health is about connecting individuals to the right care, and healthcare that uses (technology) has the ability to bring care to the individual and back to the individual in the hospital or healthcare setting,” HIMSS emphasizes president and CEO Hal Wolf. in his welcome speech.
The first day of the conference also heard from the guest of honor, Indonesian Vice Minister of Health, Dr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono. He spoke about the country’s achievements in building a resilient and sustainable health ecosystem following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am proud to inform you that we are now in a very promising moment,” he joked.
Lately, Indonesia has been looking for investment opportunities in its medical device sector, connecting local players with global investors from China, Germany, the United States and the Middle East. The industry, which has an expected CAGR of 12%, is positioned to meet the unmet demand for innovative solutions.
However, improving healthcare through these technology solutions involves more than just the technology itself, Dr. Harbuwono said. “It’s also about putting patients in control of their health and giving providers the tools they need to provide better care.”
“As we embark on this journey together, let us embrace the spirit of connection and recognize the transformative power of technology in healthcare,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Pak Setiaji, head of the Digital Transformation Office of the Indonesian Ministry of Health and chairman of HIMSS23 APAC, shared some of Indonesia’s progress in digital transformation. This includes the release of the Digital Health Transformation Blueprint 2024 and the transition of the former PeduliLindungi COVID-19 app to a national integrated health data exchange platform called SatuSehat.
In digitizing the healthcare system post-COVID, Setiaji underlined the potential for sector-wide collaboration, especially in the areas of data and information.
“By building trust between us and solidifying our commitment to a better healthcare system in the future, it is possible to have a synergistic, synchronized and well-governed cooperation,” he said in his opening speech.
“For a better future, let us maintain this momentum (of cooperation) and (continue to) work together,” he urged.