Utilization of Genomic Technology in Improving the Indonesian Health System

JAKARTA - The development of health technology continues to progress rapidly. One of the most promising breakthroughs today is genomics, a science that studies the entire human DNA.

In Indonesia, the utilization of this technology has begun to receive serious attention, especially after the experience of facing the COVID-19 pandemic which has provided many important lessons.

According to Dr. Vincentius Simeon Weo Budhyanto, Chairman of the Satriabudi Dharma Setia Foundation (YSDS), the pandemic was a turning point in realizing the importance of independence in the field of diagnostics and health data management. During the crisis, Indonesia is still very dependent on imported diagnostic materials.

"During the pandemic, we imported diagnostic reagents up to more than around Rp. 10 trillion. Ironically, the genomic data that we should be able to collect has not been optimally utilized," he said at the BioAI and Genomics Symposium, Launch of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) with global experts at Grand Hyatt Jakarta, Monday, April 4, 2026.

Simply put, genomics is the study of DNA, the basic code that determines how the human body works. DNA can be likened to a life manual.

"If it is likened to, the DNA is like a very thick book, containing about 3.3 billion base pairs. From there, all of our body's properties and functions come from," explained Vincentius.

By reading the entire DNA through the whole genome sequencing process, scientists can understand a person's disease risk even before symptoms appear. This opens the way to precision medicine, that is, therapy tailored to each individual's genetic condition.

The benefits of genomics in the world of health are also very broad. This technology is not only used to detect inherited diseases, but also for various modern medical needs, such as:

- Detecting cancer and chronic disease risks

- Prenatal screening to monitor fetal health from an early age

- Pharmacogenomics to determine drug compatibility

- Detection of rare diseases

- Cancer monitoring from the very early stage

Vincentius gave an example that genomics can help in the selection of the right drug.

"About 20 percent of Indonesians have enzymes that are less optimal to activate certain drugs such as clopidogrel. With genomic data, we can find out whether the drug is suitable or not for patients," he said.

This means that the risk of medication errors can be suppressed, and therapy becomes much more effective.

Despite its great potential, Indonesia still faces serious challenges, namely the lack of genomic data from local populations.

"Data on Indonesians in international databases is still very little compared to the population of Europe or America," said Vincentius.

In fact, as a country with the fourth largest population in the world, Indonesia has a very rich genetic diversity. Without adequate data, research and development of drugs are at risk of being less relevant for the Indonesian people themselves.

To answer this challenge, various initiatives have been carried out, including the construction of genomic laboratories in various regions.

"We want to democratize genomics. This makes this technology more widely accessible, not just concentrated in big cities," said Vincentius.

Currently, dozens of sequencing tools have been spread across various regions of Indonesia, ranging from universities to hospitals. In the short term, it is targeted that at least 200 thousand Indonesian people's genomes can be successfully sequenced.

Jason Kang, Ph.D., General Manager Asia at Ultima Genomics, said his company's mission is to make genomic sequencing technology more affordable and accessible.

"With the latest UG200 system which has high scalability and lower sequencing costs, we are opening up opportunities that were previously unaffordable. Partnering with YSDS allows us to bring this technology to underserved areas," he said.

This effort is also strengthened through international collaboration, including with Prof. Jong-II Kim, Ph.D. from Seoul National University, who emphasized the importance of cross-country cooperation.

"Collaboration is the key. When each party combines its advantages, the results will be much more optimal," he said.

This collaboration also has an impact on cost efficiency. Previously, the cost of sequencing one genome could reach hundreds to thousands of dollars, now it is targeted to fall below 100 US dollars or around Rp. 1.7 million.

"Previously, it was around 800 dollars (Rp. 13 million) per person, now we are targeting to be less than 100 dollars," explained Vincentius.

This cost reduction is the key to making genomic technology more widely accessible to the public. However, behind this progress, the aspect of data security remains a major concern. Genomic data is a highly sensitive and valuable asset.

"The data produced must remain within the country. This is a national asset that must be protected," said Jim Zhang, Senior Field Application Specialist at Twist Bioscience.

Therefore, data management is carried out with high standards, including through encryption and anonymization to maintain privacy. In the end, genomics is not only a sophisticated technology, but also brings major changes in the paradigm of health services, ranging from reactive to preventive.

"By understanding the DNA, we can predict the risk of disease even before symptoms appear," concluded Vincentius.

With this big step, Indonesia has the opportunity to build a stronger, inclusive, and sustainable data-based health system. Genomics opens the way to a future where diseases can be prevented earlier, treatment is more targeted, and people's quality of life is significantly improved.

Press Conference BioAI and Genomics Symposium, Launch of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) with global experts (Photo: VOI/Adelia)