Jakarta, IO – Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality in Indonesia, with heart attacks and strokes accounting for nearly 800,000 deaths annually. Compounding this public health crisis, the country faces a growing trend of outbound medical tourism, as an increasing number of patients seek cardiac care abroad.
This shifting landscape indicates that transforming national cardiac care can no longer rely solely on technological advancements and clinical competency. Instead, it demands equitable distribution of specialists, financial sustainability, enhanced patient experiences, and a renewed public trust in the domestic healthcare system.
Addressing these pressing challenges, the Indonesian Heart Association (PERKI) convened a high-level discussion titled “Beyond Borders: Trust, Training, and the Future of Indonesian Cardiology” during the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indonesian Heart Association (ASMIHA) 2026 Editorial forum.
The international event, which aims to disseminate the latest advancements in cardiovascular science, clinical research, and policy recommendations to elevate the standard of cardiac care in Indonesia, brought together government officials, professional organizations, academics, healthcare providers, and public figures to chart a comprehensive overhaul of Indonesia’s cardiology ecosystem.
Chairman of the 35th ASMIHA 2026, dr. Amir Aziz Alkatiri, Sp.JP(K), noted that this year’s convention drew over 2,500 participants, including cardiologists, general practitioners, healthcare workers, academics, researchers, and students from both Indonesia and abroad. Departing from previous formats, ASMIHA 2026 –from 15 to 18 July– adopted a highly multidisciplinary approach by bringing together policymakers, professional bodies, healthcare providers, and public figures under one roof.
“ASMIHA is no longer just about discussing advancements in cardiovascular science. It now addresses the structural reinforcement of Indonesia’s cardiac care system—ranging from specialist medical education and equitable service distribution to financing models and rebuilding public trust in domestic medical services,” dr. Amir said.
In an effort to bring cardiovascular health issues closer to the general public, ASMIHA 2026 featured legendary actress Christine Hakim as a guest speaker. Her presence offered the unique perspective of a heart patient’s family member, bridging the medical community and the public to raise awareness about early detection, prevention, and proactive cardiovascular health management.
A core session of the forum tackled critical bottlenecks in Indonesia’s cardiac care transformation, including equitable access, patient trust, financial sustainability, and the welfare of healthcare professionals. It specifically scrutinized why many Indonesians still choose to seek treatment abroad.
Muhammad Munawar, Sp.JP(K), a senior cardiologist and chairman of the PERKI Ethics Board, alongside dr. Renan Sukmawan, Sp.JP(K), PhD, Chairman of the Indonesian Collegium of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, emphasized that the challenge is no longer about clinical capability. Both experts asserted that the competency of Indonesian cardiologists is fully on par with global standards. However, the overall patient experience has emerged as the decisive factor in winning public trust.
“The quality of care does not end with medical procedures. Transparent communication, humanistic care, streamlined processes, and the patient’s journey from the moment they arrive until they complete their treatment are vital components in rebuilding public confidence in Indonesian healthcare,” dr. Renan explained.
The financial sustainability of the healthcare system was another focal point. According to Maj-Gen (ret.) Dr. dr. Prihati Pujowaskito, Sp.JP(K), FIHA, MMRS, the rising burden of cardiovascular disease imposes massive financial strains on the National Health Insurance (JKN) program. Consequently, a delicate balance must be struck between medical innovation, cost-effectiveness, and evidence-based financing policies via health technology assessment.
“The implementation of medical innovations must offer clear clinical benefits while safeguarding the sustainability of the national financing system. This ensures that the public retains access to top-tier therapies without overburdening the healthcare infrastructure,” he remarked.
This financial urgency is underscored by the fact that heart disease remains one of the most expensive catastrophic illnesses under the JKN program. Data from the social security agency, BPJS Kesehatan, reveals that cardiovascular care costs have ballooned to Rp12.1 trillion across approximately 15 million recorded cases.
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Meanwhile, the President of PERKI Central Executive Board, dr. Ade Meidian Ambari, Sp.JP(K), PhD, underlined that no healthcare transformation can succeed without addressing the welfare and legal protections of medical professionals. He stressed that deploying specialists to remote areas must be coupled with fair incentives, clear career pathways, and a safe, supportive working environment to enable healthcare workers to deliver sustainable, high-quality care.
Complementing the expert insights, prominent public figure and former SOE Minister Dahlan Iskan shared his perspective as both a patient and a healthcare observer. He noted that winning the public’s heart does not hinge on hospitals housing the most sophisticated technology. Instead, patients look for accessible care, simplified bureaucracy, shorter waiting times, and warm, empathetic communication.
“For patients, trust is built on experience. When care feels human, people will feel confident that they can receive the best possible treatment right here in their own country,” he said.
Through ASMIHA 2026, PERKI reaffirmed that the future of Indonesian cardiology must move “beyond borders.” Transforming cardiac care requires seamless collaboration among the Health Ministry (Kemenkes), professional organizations, academic institutions, healthcare providers, and the public to build a self-reliant, trusted, and sustainable cardiology ecosystem capable of meeting the nation’s future health demands. (est)
