Indonesia Launches Digital Health Toolkit Developed with Monash University

A new digital health innovation toolkit, the Value-Based Digital Health Innovation Canvas (VDHIC), has been launched in Indonesia to support the country’s digital health reform efforts. Developed through a collaboration between senior Indonesian health leaders and researchers at Monash University, the toolkit aims to translate national digital health goals into practical solutions.

Addressing Indonesia’s Digital Health Needs

The VDHIC is designed specifically for Indonesia’s complex health system and regulatory environment, aligning with the country’s national health data platform, SATUSEHAT, and its regulatory sandbox initiatives. The initiative received funding from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Australia Awards Fellowships program, which supports partnerships between Australian and regional organizations to build leadership and capacity.

How the VDHIC Works

The toolkit provides a roadmap for hospitals and healthcare providers to implement digital health initiatives, focusing on five key aims:

• Population health
• Patient experience
• Provider satisfaction
• Cost efficiency
• Health equity

It similarly incorporates regulatory, clinical, data, and technology governance from the outset, promoting safe and scalable innovation. According to Professor Juliana Sutanto, an information systems researcher at Monash University’s Faculty of Information Technology, the VDHIC encourages a shift from simply complying with reporting requirements to using digital health to achieve meaningful outcomes.

“The toolkit helps Indonesian healthcare organisations, innovators and policymakers move beyond mandatory data submission or digitisation towards value-based digital health, where technology and data creates tangible benefits for patients, clinicians and health systems,” Professor Sutanto said.

Focus on Regional Needs

The development process involved nine Australia Awards Fellows, including members of Indonesia’s Ministry of Health Technical Working Group, clinicians, and researchers. A particular emphasis was placed on Eastern Indonesia, where health system capacity and digital infrastructure are often limited, to ensure the toolkit is relevant to a wide range of regional and clinical needs.

Dr. Arthur Mawuntu, a neurologist from North Sulawesi and an Australia Awards Fellow, highlighted the importance of addressing regional realities. “For clinicians in Eastern Indonesia, it is imperative that digital health must reduce burden and improve care, not add complexity,” he said. “This toolkit acknowledges connectivity challenges and equity considerations while aligning with national platforms such as SATUSEHAT.”

Integration with Indonesian Health Policy

Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has indicated that the toolkit will inform future digital health policy development. Health technology expert advisor Mr. Setiaji noted the VDHIC complements the Ministry’s approach to innovation through regulatory sandboxing. Mr. Eko Sulistijo, Head of Indonesia’s Data and Information Centre (Pusdatin), emphasized the importance of strong data foundations for digital health success, noting the toolkit reinforces alignment between innovation, national data standards, and long-term policy goals.

The VDHIC will be integrated into Indonesia’s Ministry of Health sandbox program. The Fellows presented the refined toolkit to Monash University advisors in February and submitted a final report to Indonesia’s Ministry of Health.