Innovation

In a country such as Indonesia, where physicians are always lacking, many patients are left untreated. This is also a challenge for a global medical device company such Boston Scientific, to enter the market. Limited trained physicians severely limit the market size. In 2013 when PT. Boston Scientific Indonesia (PT. BSI) was established, there were less than 100 Interventional Cardiologists practicing in Indonesia.

Mrs. Ati Saraswati, Boston Scientific Indonesia country leader emphasized, “In a market with these limitations, the only way to succeed is to be a problem solver.”

These Interventional Cardiologists are under an organization called ISIC, the Indonesian Society of Interventional Cardiology. PT. BSI decided to first approach them. They agreed that there are not enough Interventional Cardiologists to serve Indonesia. There were only 7 training centers with the total capacity of 20 fellows annually. There is a big gap between the prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease in Indonesia and the availability of the trained cardiologists.

CAD prevalence in Indonesia is roughly 1.8% of the general population; with 44% of the general population having access to healthcare.

To do the PCI Procedure (to open up coronary blockage during a heart attack) a cardiologist needs to go through one year training as a fellow to become an Interventional cardiologist.

PT. BSI calculated how many trained cardiologist are needed to minimize that gap of treatment for CAD patients.

PT. BSI as their strategic corporate social responsibility, committed to give educational grants for all of these fellows. Five year commitment of 20 grants annually. This way, there are at least 100 new IC graduates that will come out of this program by 2018.

This program commenced in 2014.

There is no business deal tied to this program. This Fellow program is part of Continuing Medical Education program Boston Scientific supports for physicians all over the world.

This program is currently in its third year, and the trained Interventional Cardiologists are beginning to go back to their regions (such as Bengkulu, Balikpapan, Banjarmasin) and start their own centers to handle patients with Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD)

Not only that, but also all Boston Scientific employees have an obligation to serve community with a minimum of 8 hours per year and an activity tracker to ensure the hours dedicated have a positive impact to the community.

The Cardiology Intervention Fellow program has strengthen Boston Scientific's brand locally, doing good for the goods of things.

Boston Scientific Indonesia‘s business have also quadrupled during this past three years.

Inspiration

BSI was inspired be the strong need in the community and saw the opportunity to expand their business while benefiting the surrounding communities.

The five year commitment given by Boston Scientific to the ISIC (Indonesian Society of Interventional Cardiology) is unheard of in Indonesia. Usually grants and support are a one time occasion and reviewed in an annual basis.

Overall impact

The number of trained physicians (Interventional Cardiology) has increased by 60 people thus far. These physicians will be redistributed back to the smaller cities to serve the patients. By the end of the 5 year commitment (2018), there will be 100 additional IC for Indonesia.

Now there are 9 training centers across Indonesia.

Business benefit

Boston Scientific Indonesia gained a positive brand recognition and in three years their business has quadrupled.

Social and environmental benefit

Smaller remote areas now can be served by trained Interventional Cardiologist. The procedures are covered by BPJS (universal health coverage-but before there were no sufficient trained physicians to do the procedures).

Interview

Ati Saraswati, Country Leader Indonesia. General Manager