Jakarta, INTI - The use of telehealth and artificial intelligence (AI) is being encouraged to expand access to healthcare services across Indonesia, particularly amid uneven distribution of healthcare professionals and the country’s diverse geographical conditions.
“Indonesia’s healthcare priorities require solutions that are not only innovative, but also relevant to the realities faced by patients and healthcare professionals,” said Tantia Dian Permata Indah, Director of RMIT Indonesia, in a written statement received in Jakarta on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
The potential of telehealth, remote patient monitoring, AI, wearable sensors, biomarkers, and interconnected healthcare systems was discussed at a healthcare forum titled Healthier Futures, Sooner: How Technology Closes the Gap in Care in Jakarta.
These technologies are seen as capable of helping Indonesia’s healthcare system address geographical challenges, the growing burden of chronic diseases, and the uneven distribution of healthcare professionals.
Telehealth to Expand Access for Underserved Communities
Healthcare professionals remain heavily concentrated in urban areas and on Java Island, while regions in eastern Indonesia continue to face significant shortages.
Digital health technologies can complement the capacity of healthcare professionals by helping extend services to communities with limited access to medical care.
Telehealth and remote monitoring can enable healthcare delivery without always requiring patients and healthcare professionals to be in the same location.
Meanwhile, AI, biomarkers, and wearable devices can support earlier diagnosis, patient monitoring, disease prevention, and rehabilitation.
However, the use of these technologies still requires active involvement from healthcare professionals to ensure that their implementation aligns with clinical needs and standards.
“Research creates the greatest value when its benefits reach patients and improve everyday practice. Researchers, clinicians, and healthcare organizations need to work together from the outset so that new ideas can be implemented safely and effectively in healthcare settings,” said Professor Ross Vlahos of RMIT University.
RMIT and Mandaya Explore Joint Research Opportunities
The forum brought together researchers, clinicians, and healthcare sector leaders from Australia and Indonesia to discuss how emerging technologies can be integrated into real-world healthcare delivery.
RMIT University and Mandaya Hospital Group also explored opportunities for joint research and the translation of research outcomes into clinical practice.
“Combining RMIT’s research expertise with Mandaya’s local clinical knowledge can help us identify solutions that are relevant to Indonesia and explore how they can be responsibly implemented in real-world healthcare settings,” said Dr. Ben Widaja, President Director of Mandaya Hospital Group.
The collaboration could potentially expand through joint research, the implementation of research findings in clinical practice, healthcare workforce development, and technology trials aimed at addressing various healthcare challenges across Indonesia.
Conclusion
The adoption of telehealth, AI, wearable technologies, and remote patient monitoring is expected to play a key role in improving healthcare accessibility across Indonesia. Through collaboration between research institutions and healthcare providers, technology-driven solutions can help bridge gaps in care delivery, support healthcare professionals, and create a more connected and inclusive healthcare system.
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