MedLink Smart: The Future of Digital Healthcare

The team's journey began with a casual conversation at a simple food stall. Marko, a Mechanical Engineering student at UMS who actively participates in innovation competitions, accidentally struck up a conversation with Rival, also a Mechanical Engineering student, about various challenges in the industrial and healthcare sectors.

A casual conversation sparked the idea of developing a technology-driven solution with broad community benefits. Their concern over the outdated, paper-based health recording system motivated them to create a more efficient, digital alternative.

Their innovation was inspired by the outdated, paper-based patient recording system at the clinic. They wondered, why not create a more efficient digital system? That idea led to the creation of MedLink Smart, an Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), based system that seamlessly integrates real-time patient data, from diagnosis to medication collection at the pharmacy.

They then invited students from various disciplines to collaborate on developing the idea. Eventually, a team of five was formed, consisting of (1) Marko Refianto, (2) Muhammad Aditya Rivalta, (3) Muhammad Satria Ananta, (4) Muhammad Miftahul Huda, and (5) Aswa Arsa Kumala, 

Each team member brought expertise from different fields, including mechanical engineering, informatics engineering, electrical engineering, and medicine.

This diverse combination of expertise is key to designing innovations that are not only technically functional but also directly address real-world needs.

The team previously participated in the UMS International Innovation Day (IID) 2024, where they won 2nd place in the Internet of Things (IoT) category. This achievement motivated them to take their innovation to the next level by competing in an international competition in Thailand.

Preparing for the competition in Thailand came with its challenges. The team faced funding constraints in developing their product. However, with support from the Mechanical Engineering Study Program and the university, they managed to make the trip to Thailand despite their limited budget.

“We are moving forward with the product as it is because we believe this innovation has great potential for further development,” said Marko, sharing their struggle to compete internationally in Thailand on Wednesday (19/02/2025).

Marko admitted that while their results at IID 2024 were not entirely as expected, he and his team still felt a sense of relief. The MedLink Smart team is now more determined than ever to improve and give their best in future competitions.

“Ultimately, we accept the jury’s decision. Now, let’s discuss and evaluate the shortcomings of our innovation. We planned to collaborate with the Faculty of Medicine (FK) UMS to better understand the practical application of their medical device, working closely with an FK UMS student to refine their development.” he said

The team then focused on understanding the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for patient diagnosis, service mechanisms, and workflows, from medical staff and duty doctors to pharmacists. This in-depth research became the foundation for their hardware development.

When the opportunity to participate in Thailand Inventor’s Day arose, the team once again faced funding challenges for product development. They sought support from the Mechanical Engineering Study Program, Electrical Engineering, and various other parties at UMS. Through persistent efforts, they ultimately secured the necessary resources and made their way to Bangkok.

MedLink Smart is an IoT-based healthcare solution designed for real-time patient monitoring using advanced medical sensors, including the MPX5050DP for blood pressure and MLX90614 for body temperature. With automatic integration into a web-based electronic medical record system, it enhances accuracy, reduces manual errors, and minimizes the need for direct medical personnel intervention. Additionally, its remote monitoring feature improves operational efficiency and supports more informed clinical decision-making.

Detail komponen Medlink Smart component detail.

The key advantage of MedLink Smart is its efficient medical data management and its role in promoting equitable healthcare access, especially in remote areas. In the long run, this innovation contributes to the transformation of modern healthcare services through smart technology, aligning with the vision of society 5.0 to develop inclusive and progressive social welfare.

This product utilizes two vital sensors, a blood pressure sensor and a thermometer, that transmit data directly to a localhost-based system (prototype). When implemented in healthcare institutions, the data can be integrated into a server or firebase for broader accessibility. The system features three interfaces.

1. For Medical Personnel and Patients – Simply scan the ID card, and vital sign data is automatically recorded in the system in real-time, eliminating manual entry.
2. For Doctors – Diagnoses are directly input into the system, removing the need for manual recording and reducing errors.
3. For Pharmacies – Drug recommendations from doctors are instantly accessible at the pharmacy, allowing for faster preparation and minimizing prescription errors.

The key advantage of this system is its ability to minimize manual recording errors while significantly improving time efficiency. During manual testing, the process time was reduced from 24 minutes to just 4 minutes.

In this competition, the UMS team had to present their innovation under strict time constraints, three minutes on the main stage, followed by a five-minute Q&A session with the judges. Their main strategy was to highlight real challenges in the healthcare industry and demonstrate how MedLink Smart serves as an effective solution to these problems.

The team focused on delivering a clear and engaging system prototype, so that the judges could easily grasp the concept and benefits of MedLink Smart. 

As a result, their hard work paid off, the UMS team won the gold medal and a special award, an extraordinary achievement that proves the nation's innovations can compete on the international stage. This accomplishment is even more remarkable considering the competition featured participants from various countries and was organized by the Thai Ministry of Research.

(From left) Muhammad Satria Ananta, Marko Refianto, Muhammad Adityo Rivalta, representatives of the Medlink Smart team, during the Thailand Inventors' Day in Bangkok, February 2-6, 2025/Personal Doc.

After achieving success in Thailand, the UMS team is not stopping there. They plan to continue developing MedLink Smart by adding various new features, such as automatic IV fluid monitoring and a medical procedure room surveillance system to make the system more comprehensive and beneficial for both medical professionals and patients.

“We hope this innovation can truly be implemented in hospitals and clinics across Indonesia. With this system, we aim to improve the efficiency of healthcare services through technology,” said Marko, one of the team members, with enthusiasm.

This achievement not only brings pride to UMS but also serves as proof that Indonesian innovation has the potential to make a global impact. The team hopes for continued support from various stakeholders so that their innovation can keep evolving and be fully integrated into the medical field.

With dedication and hard work, it is not impossible that MedLink Smart could become a breakthrough innovation that transforms the future of healthcare services.

Writer: Fika Annisa’ Sholihah

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor:  Al Habiib Josy Asheva

Designer: Salsabila Kamila Wardah