Indonesia announced the launch of its first-ever medical tourism special economic zone in Sanur yesterday, 2nd July.
Located on the island of Bali, the special zone in Sanur is a milestone in Indonesia’s ongoing initiative to meld world-class healthcare with tourism.
Speaking at the launch, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto declared: “I think this initiative is the first of its kind in our country, as we’ve envisioned creating a special economic zone offering world-class healthcare services.”
Plans for the Sanur medical tourism zone include several facilities ranging from a world-class hospital, specialised clinics, centres for medical research, and a botanical garden boasting of plants and herbs used for healing and wellness.
In line with improvements to the healthcare system
The Sanur medical tourism zone is part of the Indonesian government’s ongoing initiative to improve healthcare for its citizens, following the approval of a new health law last year that allows foreign medical practitioners to live and practise in the country.
It should be noted that, over the past decade, the Indonesian government has worked to boost the standard of healthcare throughout the country as it is sorely behind its regional neighbours.
At present, for a nation numbering over 270 million individuals, there are only seven doctors available for every 10,000 patients.
Due to current conditions, Indonesians suffering from a variety of diseases have had to look overseas for treatment options, collectively spending close to US$9.2 billion in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand for quality care.
This prompted Subianto to say on the occasion of the new medical tourism zone's launch: “There are many Indonesian citizens who seek healthcare abroad, which affects our foreign exchange reserves. With this initiative, we can provide our citizens, as well as foreign guests, healthcare services that are on par with the best in the world.”
