A new digital health innovation toolkit has been launched in Indonesia, developed through a collaboration between senior health leaders and researchers from Monash University. The toolkit, known as the Value-Based Digital Health Innovation Canvas (VDHIC), aims to support the nation’s digital health reform by establishing practices that prioritize value-based outcomes.
The VDHIC was crafted by nine Indonesian Fellows, who received guidance from Monash University’s digital health researchers. The initiative is funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) as part of the prestigious Australia Awards Fellowships program. These fellowships are designed to foster leadership and collaboration between Australian organizations and their regional counterparts.
This toolkit specifically addresses the complexities of Indonesia’s health system and aligns with strategic national initiatives, including the health data platform SATUSEHAT and various regulatory sandbox programs. It provides a structured roadmap for healthcare providers to implement digital health initiatives centered on five critical objectives: population health, patient experience, provider satisfaction, cost efficiency, and health equity.
Transforming Digital Health Landscape
Leading this collaborative effort, Professor Juliana Sutanto from Monash University emphasized that the VDHIC represents a shift from compliance-driven reporting to a more meaningful approach in digital health. “The toolkit helps Indonesian healthcare organizations, innovators, and policymakers move beyond mandatory data submission towards value-based digital health, where technology and data create tangible benefits for patients, clinicians, and health systems,” said Professor Sutanto.
The VDHIC offers a clear, step-by-step framework for digital health innovation, guiding users from the identification of health issues to the delivery of measurable outcomes. The group of nine Australia Awards Fellows includes members of Indonesia’s Ministry of Health Technical Working Group, as well as clinicians and researchers from across the country. They participated in an intensive program at Monash University, which included hospital visits and consultations with Australian digital health experts.
A significant focus of this initiative is on Eastern Indonesia, where health system capacity and digital infrastructure are often more limited. This regional emphasis ensures that the toolkit addresses a broad spectrum of clinical needs. Arthur Mawuntu, a neurologist from North Sulawesi, remarked on the importance of the toolkit for local clinicians, stating, “For clinicians in Eastern Indonesia, it is imperative that digital health must reduce burden and improve care, not add complexity.”
Supporting Sustainable Health Reforms
Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has indicated that the VDHIC will play a crucial role in ongoing digital health policy development. Health technology advisor Mr. Setiaji noted that the toolkit complements the Ministry’s regulatory sandboxing approach. “Indonesia is creating pathways for responsible digital health innovation through innovation, industrial, and regulatory sandboxing. The VDHIC offers practical guidance to ensure innovation aligns with governance, safety, and value-based outcomes,” he explained.
The Head of Indonesia’s Data and Information Centre, Mr. Eko Sulistijo, emphasized that strong data foundations are vital for the success of digital health initiatives. “Interoperability, privacy, and data quality underpin the effectiveness of SATUSEHAT. This toolkit reinforces alignment between innovation, national data standards, and long-term policy goals,” he stated.
Digital health expert Professor Chris Bain from Monash University expressed satisfaction with the collaboration. “It has been a fantastic experience meeting and collaborating with our Indonesian colleagues, and it is very rewarding to know that our work and thinking about Value-Based Digital Health has resonated with them so much,” he remarked.
The final version of the VDHIC will be presented to Monash University advisors in February 2024 before a report is submitted to Indonesia’s Ministry of Health. The toolkit will be integrated into the Ministry’s sandbox program, enhancing the framework for digital health innovation in the country. Professor Sutanto and Mr. Ahmad Hidayat, Chairman of the Technical Working Group for SATUSEHAT, are available for further discussions regarding the toolkit and its future developments.
