Indonesian Anesthesiology Expert Reza Widianto Sudjud: Rising Demand for Cardiac Surgery Drives Local Medical Brand Growth Through China-Indonesia Collaboration

As the middle-income population grows, life expectancy increases, and aging potentially accelerates, Indonesia’s healthcare system is facing certain challenges while also presenting numerous opportunities. Demand for broader and higher-quality medical services in Indonesia continues to rise steadily.

As the most populous country in Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s market potential in the healthcare and wellness sector is self-evident. The Indonesian government is striving to enhance the development of its health sector by improving infrastructure quality and seeks to attract foreign capital and advanced medical technologies to drive further progress, with a particular emphasis on medical device products. In this context, cooperation between China and Indonesia has become one of the key drivers propelling the development of Indonesia’s healthcare industry.

Recently, at the Top 100 Summit of the VBEF Future Healthcare Ecosystem Expo hosted by VCBeat,Mr. Reza Widianto Sudjud, Chairman of the West Java Chapter of the Indonesian Society of Anesthesiologists and Intensive Care Physicians, shared insights on the current landscape and opportunities in Indonesia’s healthcare market, with a particular focus on anesthesia and critical care, under the theme “Advancements in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Department: A Perspective from Indonesia.”

Currently, with the rapid development of the social economy, Indonesia's medical device market is booming.

Data shows that in 2020, Indonesia recorded as many as 1.2 million surgical cases. According to 2021 data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, among the treatments for 50 diseases in Indonesia, surgical procedures ranked 11th, with elective surgeries accounting for 32% of the total.

Dr. Reza noted that data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health showed that in 2019, there were 33,148 critically ill patients in Indonesia, with a mortality rate in intensive care units (ICUs) reaching 36.5%. However, by 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the increased demand for medical equipment in Indonesia, causing bed occupancy rates to surge to 80%. The latest data indicate that among 2,979 hospitals in Indonesia, there were 81,032 ICU beds, and a total of 52,719 critically ill patients were admitted throughout 2021. This means that the average ICU utilization rate in Indonesia reached 64.83% in 2021.

Underlying the data is a surging demand for medical equipment in Indonesia’s healthcare sector. It is reported that the majority of Indonesia’s medical devices still rely on imports.

In Indonesia, heart disease is the leading cause of patient mortality, making cardiac surgery a market with substantial demand. To meet this need, the Indonesian government is promoting the establishment of cardiac operating rooms in every region across the country.

Meanwhile, anesthesia, as a critical component of cardiac surgery, has garnered significant attention. Advanced anesthesia equipment, monitoring facilities, patient-centered care approaches, education and training programs, and pain management strategies have collectively strengthened the entire continuum of anesthetic care in cardiac surgery.

In Indonesia, standard equipment for anesthesia management and critical care treatment methods are continuously evolving. Hospitals and physicians in Indonesia are employing advanced technologies for monitoring, including telemedicine and ICU systems. New regulations from the Ministry of Health emphasize the importance of telemedicine and medical record systems, presenting a significant opportunity for the development of ICU systems.

In the fields of intensive care and cardiothoracic surgery, Indonesia is striving to enhance safety and improve outcomes for cardiac surgeries. For instance, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is now mandated as a standard practice during cardiac procedures to bolster surgical safety and efficacy. These improvements contribute to elevating the overall quality of cardiac surgery in Indonesia.

Now is a critical window of opportunity for the Indonesian healthcare market to unleash its potential.

Dr. Reza emphasized that over the past one to two years, demand in Indonesia’s healthcare market has been dominated by ventilators and respiratory support devices. Currently, these products remain a key equipment category in Indonesia’s healthcare sector, primarily imported from Germany and China. In addition, infection prevention consumables, point-of-care testing devices, and advanced monitoring systems are also major areas of focus.

Over the next one to two years, telemedicine and remote ICU solutions will become key areas of demand, while demand for nursing imaging and pain management solutions will remain sustained across the Indonesian healthcare market. At a deeper level, training and educational resources are critical; they will enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian healthcare enterprises in adapting to emerging medical trends, thereby strengthening local Indonesian healthcare brands.

The rise of local Indonesian brands will be central to perfecting the ecosystem of Indonesia’s healthcare market. The Indonesian government encourages the development of local brands and fosters collaboration with international brands.

Despite the challenges involved, close technological and commercial ties with China present opportunities for international cooperation. Dr. Reza advises that for international brands to succeed in the Indonesian market, they must pay close attention to local regulations and achieve comprehensive integration by addressing multiple dimensions, including regulatory certification, product quality, cost-effectiveness, as well as product compatibility, ease of operation, usability, durability, and maintainability. Meanwhile, it is crucial to understand Indonesia’s healthcare landscape and build strong relationships with local hospitals and healthcare professionals. The Indonesian government encourages domestic sourcing of medical resources and technologies and provides annual funding for hospitals to purchase equipment, currently showing a preference for supporting local brands. Becoming a local brand or pursuing localization is extremely important for the long-term development of companies in Indonesia, helping them grow into large enterprises.

Dr. Reza is highly optimistic about future cooperation between Indonesia and China, believing it will yield positive impacts for both sides. In this context, collaboration between Indonesia and China will help foster the development of local Indonesian brands.