7-8-2023 (JAKARTA) Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin recently met with Elon Musk to discuss potential collaboration between the Indonesian government and Starlink, Musk’s satellite network, in providing internet access to remote health centers in the country. The aim is to ensure equitable health services reach even the most disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas.
In his statement, Sadikin emphasized the importance of adequate infrastructure for local health centers (puskesmas), as they play a critical role in delivering healthcare services to communities. Regrettably, out of the 10,000 existing puskesmas, approximately 2,200 still lack internet access. Furthermore, there are 11,100 smaller puskesmas that remain unconnected.
By partnering with Starlink, the Health Ministry seeks to bridge this digital divide and enable online consultations between health workers and patients. Improved internet connectivity would also facilitate online training for healthcare professionals, enhancing their skills and knowledge.
Additionally, Sadikin highlighted that increased internet access would significantly improve communication between regions and ensure seamless reporting from healthcare facilities at any time.
The collaboration with Starlink aligns with Indonesia’s broader digitalization agenda in transforming the country’s healthcare sector. Starlink’s satellite network has been instrumental in providing low-cost internet to remote areas worldwide, offering broadband connectivity capable of supporting various online activities, including streaming and video calls.
Several other countries, including the Philippines, Rwanda, Mozambique, and Nigeria, have already implemented Starlink’s technology in their healthcare facilities to improve communication and services.
In a related development, Indonesia successfully launched the Republic of Indonesia Satellite-1 (SATRIA-1) into space from the Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC 40) in Florida, United States. The SATRIA-1 satellite is expected to bolster connectivity across regions within the country, further supporting the government’s efforts to enhance internet accessibility for various sectors, including healthcare.
