Indonesia has taken a major step toward strengthening its healthcare infrastructure through a strategic Indonesia advanced CT scanners collaboration between GE HealthCare and the Ministry of Health. The landmark agreement will see more than 300 advanced computed tomography (CT) scanners delivered to public hospitals across all 38 provinces by 2028, enabling faster, earlier diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes nationwide. This initiative is part of the Strengthening Indonesia’s Health Referral Network (SIHREN) program, the largest healthcare infrastructure investment in the country’s history.

The collaboration not only promises to modernize Indonesia’s diagnostic capabilities but also aims to address longstanding challenges in healthcare access, equity, and local capacity building. At its core, the agreement reflects a shared commitment between the Indonesian government and GE HealthCare to bring advanced medical technology closer to every community, from densely populated urban centers to remote and rural areas.

Expansion of Diagnostic Access Across Indonesia

Under the multi-year Indonesia advanced CT scanners collaboration, GE HealthCare will supply over 300 state-of-the-art CT scanners to public hospitals by 2028. These machines will be distributed across all 38 provinces of Indonesia, ensuring that advanced diagnostic imaging is no longer limited to major cities or regional hubs.

The program falls under SIHREN, Indonesia’s national strategy to strengthen the health referral network and improve access to quality care for more than 280 million citizens. With Indonesia’s geographic complexity, an archipelago spanning thousands of islands, equitable healthcare access has traditionally been a significant challenge. The deployment of these CT scanners aims to close the gap by placing critical diagnostic tools within reach of underserved populations.

Computed tomography is an essential technology in modern medicine because it provides detailed two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of internal organs, soft tissues, blood vessels, and bones. These images help clinicians diagnose a wide range of conditions, including strokes, cancers, heart disease, and traumatic injuries, enabling earlier and more accurate treatment.

By expanding access to advanced imaging, the collaboration supports Indonesia’s efforts to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, which are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country, and enhance overall public health outcomes.

Strategic Objectives of the Collaboration

The Indonesia advanced CT scanners collaboration is more than a procurement deal. It integrates multiple strategic objectives that align with national health priorities and broader socioeconomic goals:

Improving Early Disease Detection

Early detection of critical conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders significantly improves patient survival rates. Advanced CT scanners play a key role in identifying these conditions at stages when treatment is more effective and less invasive. By equipping public hospitals with modern CT technology, Indonesia seeks to reduce diagnostic delays that disproportionately affect rural and low-income populations.

Improved detection also allows clinicians to better monitor treatment responses. For example, repeated CT scans are often used to evaluate the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer patients, enabling doctors to adjust treatment plans in real time.

Strengthening National Healthcare Resilience

The SIHREN program, supported by this collaboration, represents Indonesia’s strategy to build a more resilient healthcare system capable of responding to future health challenges, including pandemics and emerging diseases. A robust network of advanced diagnostics ensures that outbreaks and health emergencies can be identified and managed promptly.

The partnership aligns with the Indonesian government’s broader agenda to modernize the health referral system, facilitating faster patient transfers and reducing the strain on overburdened tertiary hospitals. Equipping facilities with CT scanners across all provinces means that patients can receive high-level diagnostics closer to their homes.

Local Manufacturing and Supply Chain Development

A distinctive aspect of this collaboration is its focus on local manufacturing and capacity building. GE HealthCare has recently inaugurated a production facility in Bogor, West Java, in partnership with PT Kalbe Farma’s subsidiary, Forsta. This facility is designed to strengthen Indonesia’s medical device supply chain, enhance resilience, and reduce dependency on foreign imports.

Local manufacturing plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of the diagnostic network. By producing critical components locally, Indonesia can mitigate risks associated with global supply chain disruptions, stabilize equipment availability, and potentially reduce costs.

Moreover, the facility supports technology transfer and workforce development, preparing a generation of Indonesian technicians, engineers, and healthcare professionals equipped to manage and maintain advanced medical equipment.

Knowledge Transfer and Training

In addition to supplying equipment, the Indonesia advanced CT scanners collaboration encompasses professional training programs to ensure effective utilization of the new technology. GE HealthCare established the Regional Innovation & Training Experience (RITE) Hub in Jakarta, offering hands-on training for healthcare professionals in advanced imaging techniques.

The RITE Hub collaborates with educational institutions to develop curricula covering device operation, clinical pathways, and patient safety protocols. By investing in human capital alongside technology, the partnership enhances clinical expertise nationwide and ensures that the new CT scanners deliver their full diagnostic potential.

Broader Impact on Indonesia’s Healthcare System

The effects of this collaboration extend beyond hospitals and clinical settings, influencing the national health landscape in several important ways:

Enhanced Healthcare Equity

Indonesia’s vast population includes significant disparities in health access. Urban areas typically have higher concentrations of skilled clinicians and advanced medical equipment, while rural and remote regions often struggle with limited infrastructure. The nationwide deployment of CT scanners aims to level the playing field, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment for patients regardless of location.

By integrating CT technology into a broader range of facilities, the government moves closer to achieving equitable healthcare delivery, a cornerstone of universal health coverage.

Supporting National Health Targets

Non-communicable diseases account for a major share of the disease burden in Indonesia, amplifying the need for advanced diagnostics. CT imaging helps clinicians detect these conditions earlier and tailor interventions more effectively, directly contributing to national health targets focused on reducing morbidity and mortality rates.

Expanded CT access also supports maternal and child health programs by enabling quicker identification of complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood.

Economic and Workforce Development

The local manufacturing and training elements of the collaboration bring additional economic benefits. Production facilities and training centers create high-value jobs and contribute to Indonesia’s growing healthcare sector. These initiatives help build a skilled workforce equipped to support cutting-edge medical technologies while enhancing the country’s global competitiveness in healthcare services and manufacturing.

Challenges and Future Outlook

While the Indonesia advanced CT scanners collaboration represents a major milestone, several challenges must be addressed to ensure its success:

Integration and Maintenance

Deploying hundreds of advanced scanners across a vast archipelago requires careful planning for installation, maintenance, and support. Ensuring that facilities have trained personnel and robust infrastructure to maintain these systems will be critical to long-term success.

Ensuring Usage and Accessibility

Merely supplying technology does not guarantee its utilization. Strengthening referral networks, optimizing patient pathways, and ensuring affordability will be important to maximize the benefits of the CT scanners.

Sustainability of Local Production

Developing domestic manufacturing capacity for high-tech medical equipment is complex. Continued investment, quality assurance, and alignment with global standards will be necessary to sustain local production and potentially expand to export markets.

Conclusion

The Indonesia advanced CT scanners collaboration between GE HealthCare and the Ministry of Health marks a pivotal moment in Indonesia’s healthcare development. By deploying advanced diagnostic tools nationwide, building local manufacturing capacity, and investing in human capital, Indonesia is positioning itself for a healthier, more equitable future. Although challenges remain in integration and sustainability, the initiative offers a blueprint for how strategic international partnerships can elevate national healthcare systems while fostering local innovation and economic growth.