Stakeholders Convene to Discuss the Future of the Digital Health Ecosystem in West Nusa Tenggara

Together, advancing toward a brighter and more progressive future for healthcare in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Efforts to strengthen digital health transformation in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) continue to gain momentum through multi-stakeholder collaboration. This commitment was reflected in a coordination meeting that brought together Summit Institute for Development (SID), Spheres, the Regional Development Planning Agency (BAPPEDA), the NTB Provincial Health Office, and the Community Empowerment Agency (DPM) on Tuesday, June 17.

Held in Mataram, the meeting served as a strategic forum to discuss the sustainability of various digital health initiatives that have been developed by SID in collaboration with Spheres. The discussion focused on ensuring that existing innovations can continue to support local government efforts, particularly in improving maternal and child health services across Lombok Island.

Over the past several years, SID has promoted the use of digital technology in regional health systems through its Digitally Enabled District approach. These innovations have enabled frontline healthcare workers to monitor health conditions more efficiently, accurately, and in an integrated manner. Digitalization has also streamlined reporting processes, reduced administrative burdens associated with manual data management, and supported data-driven decision-making.

The meeting convened key stakeholders, including BAPPEDA, the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provincial Health Office, and DPM, to discuss strategies for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the programs implemented by SID.

During the meeting, SID Chief Executive Officer, Yuni Dwi Setiyawati, emphasized that building a digital health ecosystem is not merely about introducing new technologies, but about establishing a sustainable system that supports informed decision-making over the long term.

She highlighted one of the initiative’s key achievements: the development of a data management system that empowers local governments to own and utilize their health data independently. As a result, health data is no longer collected solely for reporting purposes, but can serve as a foundation for evidence-based policies and targeted interventions.

“Data owned by local governments can become data for action, ensuring that every decision is truly based on the needs and realities on the ground,” she stated during the discussion.

Yuni also underscored the importance of long-term commitment in advancing digital ecosystems. She explained that digital transformation is often perceived as a major investment that should generate immediate results. In reality, the most significant benefits emerge over time through improved service efficiency and cost savings.

According to her, investment in digital health systems can help governments reduce expenditures associated with delayed detection of health issues. With stronger monitoring systems in place, potential health risks can be identified earlier, allowing interventions to take place before conditions worsen and require more costly treatment.

“The principle is simple: prevention is always better than cure. When a system is capable of detecting problems earlier, the costs required for treatment and response can be significantly reduced,” she explained.

In addition to the presentations, the meeting featured an interactive discussion among participants. Representatives from BAPPEDA, the NTB Provincial Health Office, and DPM shared insights on program integration strategies, regulatory needs, human resource capacity strengthening, and potential financing mechanisms to support the long-term sustainability of digital health initiatives.

The discussion was dynamic and marked by a strong spirit of collaboration. Participants agreed that successful digital transformation cannot be achieved by a single institution alone, but requires cross-sector support involving government agencies, development organizations, healthcare workers, and communities.

Through this meeting, stakeholders expressed hope that the innovations developed by SID will continue to evolve and become increasingly integrated into the regional health system. With supportive policies and sustainable financing mechanisms, NTB’s digital health ecosystem is expected to serve as a key foundation for improving healthcare quality while also providing a model of best practice for other regions across Indonesia.