Aceh – Indonesia, Technological advancements and increasingly complex health challenges demand that nursing staff not only possess clinical competence, but are also able to adapt, innovate, and utilize technology to address community needs.

This statement was delivered by the Vice Mayor of Sabang, Suradji Junus, when opening The 9th Aceh International Nursing Conference (AINC-9) Year 2026 at the Pulau Weh Hall, Sabang Mayor’s Office, Friday, October 9, 2026.

The international conference, themed “Advancing Sociotechnopreneurship in Nursing: Leveraging Digital Innovation and Global Networks for Community Health Resilience,” brought together academics, practitioners, researchers, students, professional organizations, as well as domestic and international speakers to discuss nursing development through digital innovation and global networks.

Suradji stated that health is a vital foundation for human and regional development.

Therefore, nurses play a strategic role in strengthening community health resilience through clinical competence enhancement, digital technology utilization, innovation, and collaboration to deliver adaptive services tailored to community needs.

According to him, the advancement of digital technology opens opportunities to improve access and the quality of healthcare services. The digitization of services, health information systems, data utilization, and artificial intelligence can help strengthen services, including for communities in resource-limited areas.

“Do not just master theory; you must also be able to put it into practice. Technology mastery is also crucial so that the knowledge gained can be applied and provide tangible benefits to the public,” he said.

The Vice Mayor of Sabang emphasized the importance of cross-country cooperation to broaden horizons, enhance competencies, and encourage the exchange of knowledge and technology.

“We hope AINC-9 serves as a space for knowledge exchange while strengthening Universitas Syiah Kuala’s international collaboration and networks, including with institutions in Thailand and Malaysia, thereby supporting educational development and improving the quality of healthcare services,” Suradji remarked.

In addition to competence and tech mastery, Suradji reminded attendees of the importance of friendliness and empathy from healthcare workers when serving patients. According to him, the quality of care is determined not only by medical treatment, but also by the attitude of healthcare personnel in accompanying patients.

“Nurses must be friendly when attending to patients. We must not let people come to the hospital seeking healing, only to feel uncomfortable due to poor staff attitudes,” he urged.

The Vice Mayor of Sabang added that friendliness, right from the registration process through to nursing care, can provide a better experience for patients and help support the recovery process.

“Healing is not just about medicine, but also about the attitude of the healthcare providers. Therefore, competence, technology mastery, and friendliness must go hand in hand,” Suradji added.

Meanwhile, the Vice Rector for Resources and Financial Affairs at Universitas Syiah Kuala, Fairuzzabadi, expressed hope that AINC-9 could expand international networks and foster collaboration in education, research, and technological innovation while continuing to uphold human values in healthcare services.

“Through this conference, we hope various collaborations and innovations emerge that not only strengthen the advancement of science, but can also be applied to elevate service quality and community health resilience,” he concluded.

The Sabang City Government hopes AINC-9 yields strategic ideas, practical innovations, and sustainable collaborative networks to support nursing development and bolster community health resilience. []