In a recent landmark meeting, Indonesia’s Health Minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, sat down with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The focus of their discussion was to explore how Starlink, Musk’s advanced satellite network, can provide essential internet access to remote health centers across the Indonesian archipelago.
As the government strives to offer equal health services throughout the country, this collaboration with Starlink could be a game-changer. Targeting disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost areas, Starlink aims to bridge the existing digital divide. This comes as good news for about 2,000 of the 10,000 health centers, along with 11,100 smaller ones, that still lack internet connectivity.
Minister Sadikin emphasized the vital role local health centers play as the frontline in building healthy communities. Strong infrastructure that can withstand the demand is key. Hence, internet connectivity is not just a luxury but a necessity.
Furthermore, the partnership with Starlink will enable online training for health workers. It promises a wider reach of health services, improving connections between regions, and will support Indonesia’s ongoing digitalization agenda in health transformation.
Starlink, developed by Musk’s spaceflight company SpaceX, is gaining recognition for offering low-cost internet access to the world’s remote corners. Recently, Malaysia also jumped on the Starlink bandwagon by issuing a license to provide internet services, especially in remote areas of the country. Malaysian Communications Minister, Fahmi Fadzil, confirmed this news on his Facebook page.
With this collaboration, Indonesia is set to overcome a significant barrier that has left a portion of the population without internet access. It’s a move that showcases the country’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to ensure that no one is left behind in the journey towards achieving equitable health services.