Yuni Dwi Setiyawati: Leading Digital Transformation in Healthcare and Maternal and Baby Health

Yuni Dwi Setiyawati has always been interested in innovating healthcare systems. Her drive to improve and modernise healthcare is touching the lives of thousands of mothers, babies and patients.

With a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yuni began her professional career in 2012 as a Registered Dietitian at a community health centre in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). She had many ideas and innovations she wanted to implement, but was hindered by bureaucracy.

‘After three years working there, I felt my job was becoming quite monotonous. Alongside the feeling of boredom with my daily routine, there was also a desire to develop my skills,’ Yuni explained.

Yuni was awarded an Australia Awards Scholarship and broadened her horizons by studying a Master of Health and International Development at Flinders University.

‘My perspective broadened significantly after living and studying in Australia. I came to believe that everyone can do everything; a career doesn’t have to be limited to becoming a civil servant or working in the government. So, I would say the change in my mindset was the most valuable thing I gained from my study opportunity in Australia,’ Yuni explained.

Interestingly, during her preparations to study in Australia, Yuni discovered she had a hearing impairment. She didn’t expect the support she received as a student with a disability in Australia to be so comprehensive.

‘I was given a hearing device that fits in my ear and additional assistive listening devices placed near the lecturer during classes, which allowed me to hear clearly even if I wasn’t sitting at the front,’ she said.

Establishing MediASI and an Alumni Grant Scheme Project

After completing her studies in Australia in 2019, Yuni returned to her hometown in Lombok, then moved to Ende, Flores. Her experience in Australia gave her the confidence to start her own organisation, benefiting the community.

In 2019, she founded MediASI, an Endenese community group supporting infant and young child feeding. MediASI provides breastfeeding and infant feeding counselling through home visits to parents or caregivers. MediASI also participates in integrated service post (posyandu) activities and religious gatherings (pengajian) to provide education about breastfeeding and complementary feeding.

In 2020, Yuni was considering what more she could do to build capacity in Ende. She was in discussions with local health centres and village officials when, coincidentally, the Alumni Grant Scheme (AGS) opened for applications.

She was successful in receiving the grant and initiated the REACH (Revitalising & Empowering Endenese Community on Child Health) Project, in collaboration with the Ende City Health Centre and the Ende Regency Government, targeting four posyandu in Ende City.[1]

Yuni also leveraged MediASI to educate health centre leaders in Ende on various topics such as stunting, breastfeeding, and using local food ingredients to prepare healthy meals.

Helping the Government to Accelerate Digital Health Transformation

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Yuni returned to Lombok. She began a new career at Summit Institute for Development (SID), a local non-profit organisation with a mission to improve maternal and child health.

In 2022, as Chief Project Officer at SID, she supported the Digital Transformation Office and the Ministry of Health to accelerate the digital health transformation process in Lombok.

The work was well aligned with the Australia Awards Short Course on Digital Technologies in the Healthcare Sector (Including Telehealth), which Yuni joined in 2022, at the University of Queensland.

‘All parts of the Short Course complemented each other, from roundtable discussions with facilitators, knowledge-sharing sessions from Indonesian and Australian perspectives, to direct field visits,’ Yuni shared.

Following the Short Course, Yuni improved how SID communicated with the community, particularly with healthcare workers, who have supported the changes.

The Short Course also provided Yuni with an opportunity to expand her network of professionals who share the same mission of accelerating digital transformation in healthcare services in Indonesia.

‘We also frequently discuss how to influence stakeholders' mindsets to increase awareness of the importance of data interoperability in the healthcare sector.’

Recently, SID was awarded a grant from the Knowledge Partnership Platform Australia-Indonesia (KONEKSI) to conduct research on the integration of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, in collaboration with Indonesian and Australian research partners.

A Lifelong Effort to Improve Public Health

In 2024, Yuni was appointed to the highest position at SID. As CEO and Chair of the executive board, Yuni feels the full impact of how her experiences in Australia have been beneficial.

‘As an NGO that does not rely on government donors, we at SID must continuously think about how we can ensure the sustainability of the projects we undertake. Ultimately, I've been able to apply all the knowledge I gained from Australia, from building networks, communication skills, to negotiation,’ Yuni explained.

‘My research experience in Australia has also been very useful because all the projects undertaken by SID are research-based.’

SID is a local NGO headquartered in Mataram, Lombok. However, SID's work scope has expanded internationally and involves many global partners such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Grand Challenges Canada and others.

‘I quickly adapted because during my time in Australia, I was familiar with interacting with foreigners who have a straightforward communication style,’ Yuni said.

‘I also got used to receiving feedback and criticism without feeling offended, as during my Masters, I was accustomed to discussing with my supervisor, who rigorously ensured the quality of the research I conducted.’

Despite holding the highest position at SID, Yuni still feels there’s more to learn. She hopes to pursue a PhD and has the support and encouragement of her supervisor from her Masters studies.

Yuni does not see the CEO position as the pinnacle of her life's journey. Her goal is to further develop SID as a strong entity for creating local impact through globally-relevant work.

‘What I do at SID is a lifelong effort to improve public health,’ she said. ‘I still want to delve deeper into public health, and I want to continue making interventions that have a positive impact.’